A grieving British father is demanding new laws to better help families when their loved ones die abroad.
In an emotional statement, Jonathan Osman said his son, Nathan Osman, was his ‘best friend’ who ‘gave everything to everyone without expecting anything in return.’
Father-of-four Nathan, 30, from Pontypridd in South Wales, was found dead at the foot of a remote 200 metre cliff area in Benidorm, just hours after landing at the resort on September 27 last year.
His death was initially ruled accidental, but Spanish police were forced to open a homicide investigation earlier this year following an incredibly strong push back from his family.
His parents and loved ones spent months in Spain and online collecting evidence, convinced that something sinister had happened to the much-loved young dad.
Frustratingly, Spanish authorities once again ruled the death as an accident in September this year, closing the homicide probe.
In a statement this week, his father Jonathan said he wants to create Nathan’s Law, to better help families of Brits who die while holidaying abroad.
He has set up an official petition to call on Parliament to discuss the issue.
Jonathan said: ‘His life was cruelly cut short, and I cannot accept it. In the quietness of each passing moment I want to, I need to be doing something for Nathan. I feel hopeless and lost in despair, but I want to do something for my boy. That’s why I am reaching out to plead for your help and support.
‘Imagine your best friend, your youngest child, your pride and joy lying in front of you, lifeless. As a Dad, you can’t fix him, you can’t cradle him and make it better. I can’t fully explain it, and I try to avoid these thoughts and images, or they would take me with him in an instant.
‘I told my wife he looked as though he’d fallen off his bike as a child, with a few cuts and grazes. Back then, I could pick him up, dust him off, and he’d carry on. Not this time. As a Dad, being unable to fix things for your child is beyond words, so I won’t even attempt to describe the pain I feel each and every second of every single day.
‘When Nathan passed away and the weeks after I wanted to honour him and ensure his memory and legacy lives on even after my time on earth. This led me to create a petition aimed at establishing a support framework for families who lose loved ones overseas.’
He continued: ‘As we boarded our flight to find Nathan, we received the devastating news from Alannah that he was gone. During those initial days of our shattered lives, Alannah’s husband Ross provided immense support to Liz and me.
‘Yet, we were confronted with a complete lack of structure, advice, support, or guidance from any authorities. When Ross contacted the embassy and consulate for assistance, he was told to call back on Monday, as they did not operate on weekends. This was on a Saturday. We were left to navigate a foreign country until Monday, knowing that our beloved Nathan was lying somewhere, with no answers or support.
‘It was a living nightmare, which is why I promised that I would do all I can to create ”Nathan’s Law” to honour my boy and other families out there than will face the same devastation and despair as we are.’
Jonathan said the goal was to reach 10,000 signatures to get a response from Parliament, which they achieved.
However, the family were left ‘disheartened’ by the response, which they branded a ‘load of rubbish’ as it ‘merely listed the existing support structures.’
Jonathan continued: ‘As I sat on the settee last night, tears streaming down Liz’s and my face as we stared at the pictures of Nathan on our fireplace, I knew I had to push forward. Nathan never gave up when times got tough, and neither will I.
‘Our next goal is to reach 100,000 votes. It seems impossible, but the least I can do is try. If, by the grace of God, we achieve this target, I will feel satisfied knowing that Nathan’s Law will be created, and I will have done my best to keep his memory alive.’
You can sign the petition by clicking this link here.
