A Welsh father tragically lost his life during a holiday in Turkey after being forcibly removed from a flight due to disruptive behaviour, leaving his family grappling with unanswered questions and grief. The circumstances surrounding Ben Crook’s death, a 32-year-old from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, have only recently been clarified following a thorough inquest at Gwent Coroner’s Court.
Mr Crook had travelled to Antalya with his partner, Jess Jenkins, and their two young children on 23 September. While details about his behaviour on the outbound flight were initially unclear, it later emerged that he had consumed alcohol and cocaine prior to travelling. Witnesses and Ms Jenkins recounted how, during the flight, Mr Crook’s demeanour became increasingly erratic. He was reportedly shouting at a flight attendant, insisting on being served more alcohol, and in a moment of distress destroyed both his and Ms Jenkins’s mobile phones.
Upon landing on Turkish soil on 24 September, authorities intervened and escorted Mr Crook off the plane. Separation from his partner and children ensued, as Ms Jenkins, under instruction, took a taxi with their children to their hotel, leaving Mr Crook behind at the airport. Despite hopes that he would reunite with his family later, Mr Crook never made it to the hotel and failed to appear for the return flight scheduled for 30 September.
Anxious about his disappearance and frustrated by a lack of information, Mr Crook’s father took the difficult decision to fly out to Turkey to discover his son’s fate. His fears were sadly confirmed when it was revealed that Ben Crook had died following a fall from height in Antalya, resulting in critical injuries. Documentation from the Antalya Forensic Institute detailed extensive trauma suffered in the fall, and hospital records showed he died in the early hours of 25 September.
A secondary post-mortem conducted at the Grange University Hospital in Wales corroborated the findings of the Turkish autopsy, citing severe head and pelvic injuries as the cause of death. The toxicology report pointed to the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and cocaethylene—an active metabolite formed when alcohol and cocaine are used together—alongside ketamine, likely administered during medical treatment.
Court statements provided further insight into Mr Crook’s recent struggles. Ms Jenkins described him as a “nervous flier” who had begun drinking before even reaching the airport and continued after purchasing duty-free alcohol. She characterised his drug use as recreational and typically intertwined with alcohol consumption. His sister, Amy, spoke of his battles with substance misuse and mental health difficulties, which she believes had worsened in the lead-up to his death. However, she firmly stated that there had been no indications that he would intentionally harm himself or leave his children without a father.
Mr Crook’s disappearance prompted an online appeal for information, leading to contact from several bystanders in Turkey. One woman shared that she and her husband had encountered a distressed Mr Crook near Kaleici Harbour on 24 September. He reportedly told them about smashing his phone, attempted to reach his partner using their mobile, and appeared “shaken and hungover”. He was last seen heading towards the police station in search of assistance.
The family subsequently received messages, including distressing photographs, purportedly showing Mr Crook’s body lying on rocky ground, apparently after the fatal fall. Turkish sources suggested that the incident likely occurred at around 6.20pm on 24 September. Importantly, the investigation found no evidence pointing to the involvement of any other parties.
Delivering her verdict, Senior Coroner Caroline Saunders concluded that while substance use may have contributed to disorientation and impaired judgement, there was not enough evidence to directly link Mr Crook’s fall to these factors. Instead, she deemed the death a “tragic accident” with the precise sequence of events remaining unresolved.
The Coroner expressed her sincere condolences to the family, acknowledging the profound loss suffered by his loved ones. The case serves as another difficult reminder of the risks associated with substance misuse abroad and the importance of support structures for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.
The Jenkins and Crook families have thanked those in Wales and Turkey who assisted their search for answers during an incredibly difficult period. The case has stirred much discussion both locally and online, with many expressing sympathy for the bereaved, and others reflecting on the broader issues of wellbeing and safety while travelling.