A four-year-old boy who drowned in a swimming pool while on a family holiday in Spain has been named. Refoel Berkovits, from Golders Green, north London, died at a holiday villa in Mijas, near Marbella on the Costa del Sol. He was on a trip with his parents, Moses and Dena, five siblings and a large group of friends.
At about 9pm on Sunday, Refoel was found floating in the villa’s swimming pool by a teenager staying at the house. According to reports, the child had been playing near the pool while adults in the 20-strong party were eating dinner.
A doctor, Yitzchok Grosskopf, who was on holiday with the family, pulled Refoel from the water and tried to resuscitate him. Spanish newspaper Diario Sur reported that an ambulance crew arrived soon after and, despite frantic efforts lasting 30 minutes, Refoel was pronounced dead at the scene.
In keeping with the family’s Orthodox Jewish beliefs, their lawyers have asked the Spanish authorities not to proceed with a postmortem examination and instead have asked for a non-invasive scan. The family returned to the UK on Monday, and Refoel’s funeral took place on Tuesday.
The Berkovits family are well known in the Golders Green area, running a number of businesses. A friend said: “We are all in utter shock. The family are such lovely people, and are well known for helping people out. They are very loving and warm, and this is a sad day for us all.”
The parents, both 36, have not spoken about the tragedy, but an aunt of the boy said: “It is a very sad and very distressing story.”
Spanish authorities have opened an investigation. The British Foreign Office has confirmed the death and is offering support.
