Jan 3, 2009 12:11 am US/Eastern
Actor Travolta's Teen Son Dies In Bahamas
Jett Travolta, 16, Apparently Had Seizure, Fell In Bathroom
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
Actor John Travolta rides a cart with his son, Jett, while on holiday at Adare Manor Golf Club on May 31, 2004 in Limerick, Ireland.
ShowBizIreland/Getty Images
A heartbreaking tragedy has hit the family of John Travolta. The actor's 16-year-old son died in an accident while the family was vacationing.
It happened in the Bahamas. The Travoltas were staying at their vacation home at a resort on Grand Bahama Island.
Something went terribly wrong.
Jett Travolta, 16, was pronounced dead at a Bahama hospital, but the cause is unclear.
"He had a history of seizures. He had had seizures in the past," Travolta family attorney Michael Ossi said. "All attempts were made to revive him but were unsuccessful and he died."
But police said Jett Travolta fell in the bathroom, hitting his head on the tub. He was last seen going into the bathroom Thursday night, but wasn't found by a home caretaker until late Friday morning. He was unconscious.
On the streets of the city, news of the tragedy had already spread.
"My heart goes out to him and his family. I'm really sorry. It's devastating," one fan said.
"It's sad news to hear about any father losing their son, especially at a young age. [They] must be heartbroken," added fan George Dedvukaj.
Actors John Travolta, 54, and Kelly Preston, 46, married in 1991 and had Jett the next year. The couple has said that Jett became very sick when he was 2 years old and was diagnosed with Kawasaki syndrome, an illness that leads to inflammation of the blood vessels in young children. Preston blamed household cleaners and fertilizers but doctors said it's unusual for a teen to have symptoms.
In 2000, Travolta talked about the birth of their second child, a daughter, and How big brother Jett was dealing with the new addition.
"I felt badly that Jett had to be the first because you're learning on your first child," John Travolta said. "He and Kelly and Ella will snuggle in bed together. They'll take a nap or whatever and I think he likes the idea of having a sibling."
Jett Travolta was said to be a happy and good kid. Whether his seizure led to the fall in the bathroom or the fall led to the seizure is unclear. An autopsy will be done to determine the exact cause of death.
Family friend and Tampa, Fla.-based attorney Michael McDermott said that one of John Travolta's close associates was making funeral arrangements in Ocala, Fla., where Travolta has a home.
John Travolta, who gained fame as Vinnie Barbarino on the 1970s television show "Welcome Back, Kotter" and the 1977 film "Saturday Night Fever," went on to become one of Hollywood's biggest names. He married Preston in 1991.
A television actress, Preston appeared with Travolta in the 2000 film "Battlefield Earth," based on a novel by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Celebrity Real Names Revealed
Click to enlarge
Massive Stroller Recall Expected Tuesday 47 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Reporting
