Doctor warns of spring break risks following death of Alabama student
JACKSON, Tenn. — A University of Alabama student has died after disappearing during a spring break trip to Barcelona.
James Gracey went missing during spring break in Barcelona. He was last seen outside a waterfront club early Tuesday morning. His body was recovered from the water on Thursday.
According to law enforcement, the cause of Gracey’s death remains under investigation.
Dr. Kevin Freels, an emergency room director, said there is a surge in preventable injuries when travel season begins.
“When you are on these spring break trips or vacations, a lot of people just want to go out and have fun. Sometimes they’re not thinking about the decisions they are making,” Freels said. “If you’re having to think twice about something, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.”
Around this time of year, there are spikes in alcohol-related incidents, heat illness, and crashes involving cars, e-bikes, and scooters.
“We want to make sure everyone is obeying traffic laws, speed limits. Make sure nobody is drinking and driving,” Freels said. “Those little things that can make a vacation go bad quickly.”
Freels said to slow down, think it through, and don’t take the risk. Freels is launching a national campaign called “Sun, Suds, and Stitches” to raise awareness on spring break travel and preventable injuries.
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