Footballer John McKenna, 22, killed after balcony fall at Ibiza hotel as heartbroken pals pay tribute to ‘true gent’
TRIBUTES have been paid to a keen footballer who died after plunging from the third floor of a balcony at an Ibiza hotel.
John McKenna, 22, from Carlisle in Cumbria, died in the fall yesterday morning at his three-star hotel in the party resort of San Antonio.
He was pronounced dead at the scene following desperate attempts by paramedics to save him.
Pal and former Carlisle United player Josh Dixon admitted he was “heartbroken”, writing in a social media tribute: “Absolutely heartbroken writing this.
“One of my closest mates all the way through school.
“Wherever you went you would put a smile on someone’s face. Will be a huge miss to us all. Rest easy big man.”
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Another friend, Olly Doyle, added of John, known as 'big John': “A true gent and the most genuinely nice lad around.
“Never a smile off his face, one of the best. Rest easy big man.”
Helen Ullyart described the news of his untimely death as “soul destroying.”
Electrician John, who was staying at the azuline Hotel Llevant where the tragedy happened, is understood to have played for Carlisle City Sunday League Premier side Scotby FC.
The club said in a tweet late yesterday: “Today we lost a legend, a brilliant player but an even better person.
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“Never forgotten but loved always. RIP big John.”
Initial reports said the dead man had fallen from the fifth floor of a hotel in San Antonio but well-placed sources said he had been on the third-floor balcony of a room where he is understood to have been staying with a friend when he fell.
An investigation being led by the Civil Guard, and coordinated by a local investigating judge, is ongoing.
The friend John was with is understood to have been quizzed by police, but there is no suggestion the tourist’s death is in any way suspicious.
There has not yet been any update on the circumstances leading up to his death.
A police insider said in the aftermath of the tragedy: “This incident is still under investigation.
“All lines of inquiry are being explored and it is still too early to say exactly what happened."
A Civil Guard spokesman, speaking yesterday (FRI) afternoon, said: “A 22-year-old British man has died this morning after plunging from the third floor of a hotel in San Antonio.
“The incident is still being investigated.”
The alarm was raised just before 11am yesterday (FRI). Emergency responders said the dead man had already gone into cardiac arrest by the time the first ambulance arrived and they were unable to save him.
The hotel where the incident occurred is a budget three-star hotel near San Antonio’s bus station which belongs to the Azuline Hotel Group.
It says on its website: “This is a hotel for young people who want to enjoy centrally-located and low-priced accommodation; a budget hotel with all the amenities you need for your holiday.
“The hotel is located in one of the most popular areas for nightlife on the island of Ibiza. Ideally situated just a few metres away from the bus station, it has large bright rooms and a fantastic terrace-pool with snack bar where you can continue to soak up the atmosphere.”
A 24-year-old British woman died in September last year after plunging from a balcony at the Rosamar Hotel in Cala de Bou a short drive from San Antonio.
She was named shortly after the tragedy as Robyn-Eve Maines, from Wallasey, Merseyside.
In a tribute to her daughter at the time, mum Clare Maines said: “Our beautiful 24-year-old daughter sadly passed away after falling 30ft off her balcony. There are no words for us. We are truly heartbroken."
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Robyn-Eve's brother, Cam Maines, went on to say: "For those who don't already know today I lost my big sister Robyn-Eve Maines, she fell 30ft from a hotel balcony in Ibiza.
"She will forever be loved and remembered for the fantastic person she is. Our hearts bleed for the loss of someone so special. I love you big sis always will."
