News Shopper this week launches a campaign demanding justice for a family struck by the cruellest of blows. We want YOU to read their story and back our bid to force a government to take action ...

THERE can be nothing worse than losing a child no matter what the circumstances but imagine the horror and sheer terror of seeing your youngster critically injured in front of you.

That is what happened to Paul and Andrea Gallagher as they enjoyed a dream holiday which turned into a nightmare.

The couple and their children Heather, eight, Andrew, four, and Paul, two, were nine days into a break in the Bahamas when tragedy struck.

They were relaxing on the beach at the Atlantis Resort, on Paradise Island, when an unmanned speedboat mounted the beach.

Its propeller struck Paul as he slept. He died in hospital from severe head injuries five days later.

Almost four years on, no-one has been prosecuted for his death, despite the fact neither the boat's owners or its driver were licensed, insured or registered.

The Gallaghers claim the Bahamian Government is more interested in protecting its booming tourist trade than justice for their son.

With a television company, the family have discovered the boat firm, Sea and Ski Ocean Sports, was linked to an accident which saw an American teenager lose an arm, as well as two other deaths since 1999.

Last year, a television investigation discovered the firm is still operating at the resort and is now known as Bahamian Water Sports.

An inquest on the island returned a verdict of accidental death but a second inquest held at Bromley Magistrates' Court in 2004 recorded an open verdict.

The Gallaghers, of Repton Road, Orpington, branded the Bahamian police "corrupt" and pushed for a full British police investigation.

Last year, following talks between the Foreign Office and the Bahamian authorities, the Metropolitan Police were invited to investigate.

Only weeks later, negotiations stalled as the forces could not agree on the terms of the investigation.

Talks resumed in December and the Foreign Office confirmed two senior Met Police officers were due to fly to the island in a month.

Since then, the Bahamian authorities appear to have baulked at the prospect of an investigation, stating officers will only be permitted to examine existing paperwork.

Now News Shopper hopes to gather support to push for the Bahamian Government to allow the Met to investigate fully.

Mr Gallagher, 41, said: "We are delighted about this campaign. It is our hope it will lead to manslaughter charges being brought against the boat owners and driver, who acted illegally, as has been confirmed to us by the Bahamian attorney general.

"The weekend after Paul died we were invited to a church mass. We only expected around 20 people or so but more than 500 were there."

News Shopper Editor Andrew Parkes said: "Local newspapers are all about sticking up for local people and there is no better cause than this. We need readers to play your part by filling out the form below.

"We will send them to the Bahamian High Commission, demanding action. The Bahamian authorities should be in no doubt, News Shopper won't rest until we've helped get justice for Paul."

To access the form, click on the thumbnail image below. This will open up a full-size version of the form which you can print out, fill in and send to us.