The boat boss at the centre of a criminal probe over the deaths of two British teens in a parasailing tragedy is back on the beach.
Nikos Mallios, 53, is operating from the exact same spot where he picked up cousins Jessica Hayes, 15, and Michael “Mikey” Connelly, 13, before they plunged to their deaths nearly two years ago.
On a beach packed with British holidaymakers, the Daily Mirror watched as he took boatload after boatload of thrillseekers out to sea on €75 jaunts – despite being the subject of an investigation which is now being considered by prosecutors.
On October 24, 2020, bathers watched in horror as a rope tethering Jessica and Mikey to Mr Mallios’ speedboat snapped and sent them falling 400ft from the sky.Michael’s older brother James, then 15, was also being towed in the “three-man ride” but survived despite falling on to a rock face near Lindos, Rhodes.
He was arrested over fears he flouted health and safety laws and reportedly quizzed on suspicion of manslaughter and causing serious bodily injury.
But our exclusive pictures show the bronzed watersport chief launching his neon yellow speedboat emblazoned with the word “parasailing” on the hull from outside the four-star Lindos Princess Beach Hotel.
It is the same place where he picked up Jessica, Michael and James.
Mr Mallios – wearing dark shades and a faded T-shirt – was pictured sending dozens of young tourists soaring to dizzying heights.
At the end of the day he got in his Mitsubishi 4x4 and made his way to a palatial hill-top property in a nearby village. Last night legal sources in Greece claimed the probe into Mr Mallios was complete with a dossier of evidence handed to prosecutors.
A legal team acting for Jessica, Mikey and James’ family argue that Mr Mallios might have broken as many as six safety laws in Greece during the tragic incident.
The insider said a decision about charges was expected “very soon” after Covid delayed the investigation.
When the Daily Mirror approached Mr Mallios he said: “I don’t want to talk to anybody about this. I’m sorry I don’t want to talk about it.
“I can talk to the families, but not to anybody. I don’t want to talk about it.”
But Jessica’s dad, Tony, 40, said: “I’m so angry. It’s been nearly two years. No one seems to care that two children died. It ruined our lives.
“We want the case to be heard and for him to face justice.”
School advisor Tony, from Corby, Northants, had jetted to the Greek island with his wife Kayleigh, 36, a school chef manager, nearly two years ago for father-in-law, Phil’s surprise 65th birthday.
The couple were on holiday with Kayleigh’s brother Phillip Connelly and wife Sharon – parents of James and Mikey. In the days before the accident, Jessica, Mikey and James played games and watched bands in the hotel. Jessica told her parents the day before she died it was “the best holiday she’d ever had”.
On October 24 they booked on Mr Mallios’ boat in Lardos Bay after seeing the rides on the hotel website. Tony waved them off at 12.30pm on the beach outside the hotel, but never saw them again. A storm erupted after the group set off and the speedboat was seen trying to catch up with the trio after the rope snapped.
The parachute veered uncontrollably toward the rocky coast where they suffered devastating injuries. Their bodies were found later.
James broke both legs and suffered injuries to his head and spine. He spent more than two weeks in a coma before being evacuated to the UK.
Mr Mallios was arrested and bailed as prosecutors decide whether he should face manslaughter charges.
According to the family’s lawyer in Greece, triple-seat parasailing is forbidden, as is taking kids under 14.
They also claim Mr Mallios could have breached guidelines by operating in bad weather and going outside
of a designated watersports area. Lawyers also said the trip should not have neared rocks and the towing rope was in poor condition.
But because Mr Mallios was not subject to bail restrictions, he was free to return to the sea. Tony said: “Our children are lost, our lives have been ruined. But Mallios is continuing.
“People should be aware of the investigation and ongoing legal case.”
He added: “I don’t want other people to go through what we did.
“I want better policing of the watersports sector. I want the authorities to clamp down on people who are not running organisations as they should.”
George Moschos, of Pavalakis Moschos & Associates, representing the Hayes family in Greece, said: “The case file is now complete and in the hands of the prosecutor. Until then Mr Mallios has not been detained.”
Mr Mallios opened Lindos Watersport Centre in 2007, catering largely to British tourists from a beach hut.
Before the tragedy, its website carried a personal assurance from Mr Mallios about its safety standards.
The hotel’s website now makes no mention of the company.
Mr Mallios is working from the same hut where a new firm has been set up with a new name and owner but similar branding.
It is understood he has offered to speak with the children’s British families, but they have declined.
Michael Hagan, from Fletchers Solicitors, the Hayes’ lawyers in the UK, previously said he hoped legal action would help secure justice.
