Teenager who plunged from third floor of Ibiza Rocks named as Scots ice hockey star
A Scottish teenager who died after plunging from the third floor at Ibiza Rocks Hotel has been named as an ice hockey player from Dundee.
Gary Kelly, 19, died instantly in the fall at the same four-star hotel where Evan Thompson, from Aberdeen, lost his life just a fortnight ago.
Two ambulances were sent to the scene but paramedics say there was nothing they could do to save him.
The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Monday morning and the Civil Guard confirmed that he was a British national.
Gary's family have been left heartbroken following the news and tributes have been paid on social media.
Kharis Kelly wrote: Our hearts are shattered beyond words.
"Our handsome boy has gone to the other side, Absolutely no words.
"We are asking everyone to respect our privacy as a family while we try to navigate through this tragic news
"You'll forever be our boy Gary, Sleep tight."
Gary, who played ice hockey for both Dundee Stars and Aberdeen Lynx last season, has been remembered as a 'hugely talented and charismatic individual'.
A statement from Dundee Stars said: 'We are truly devastated to learn that Gary Kelly has tragically passed away.
'We send our thoughts and condolences to Gary's family, partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time.
'Everyone at the club including players, staff, management, and ownership are heartbroken to hear this tragic news.
'Gary was a hugely talented and charismatic individual who had a great future ahead of him.
'His loss will impact many in the ice hockey community and beyond. He will be sadly missed.
'We respect and support the family's request for privacy at this extremely difficult time.'
Officers confirmed in a statement that they were called to the scene at around 12.40am and a probe has been launched following the latest death at the hotel.
A spokesman for the Civil Guard added: 'The fall could be accidental based on the early information obtained from cameras but as part of the investigation possible witnesses will need to be located and interviewed. The results of the post-mortem will also be important to the investigation.'
In the days after Evan's death his loved ones raised questions about safety and blasted the hotel where he died over the way the situation was handled.
Evan's sister Teila said: "Ibiza is known for its partying and it just stuns me that they don't have higher safety precautions. Pray nobody else suffers. And, once it did happen, the hotel's response was just completely heartbreaking; almost as if it never happened. I pray no other family has to go through this."
Friends who were with Evan also claimed the hotel resumed normal operations just 90 minutes after his death.
On Monday, bosses at Ibiza Rocks said they were "deeply shocked and devastated" following the latest tragedy as they suspended all events at the hotel.
A spokesperson said: "Our priority is to support those affected and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and to fully assist the authorities with their investigations.
"The safety and wellbeing of our guests has, and always will remain, our highest priority. Given the seriousness of the situation and out of respect for those involved, we believe it is right to pause our advertised events programme at this time."
Dizzee Rascal was scheduled to play at the hotel on Wednesday, July 23, as part of the venue's '20th birthday celebrations', while Rudimental were set to play on July 30.
Locals living nearby have complained about noise from parties and guests getting drunk.
Ibiza news website Noudiari, reporting on the latest death, said: "This hotel has been the scene of multiple incidents and deaths in recent years, some of them related to balconing, and the consumption of narcotic substances.
"The situation has generated concern among neighbours, who have complained about this situation, as well as the noise and insecurity that the establishment generates in the neighbourhood.
'This latest incident adds to a worrying statistic that has led some people to refer to Ibiza Rocks as the 'Death Hotel'."
Last Monday a 25-year-old British tourist died in hospital from injuries he sustained in a fall from a supermarket car park in San Antonio the previous day.
He was rushed to an intensive care unit at a private island hospital following the incident but the Nuestra Senora del Rosario Polyclinic confirmed he had succumbed to his injuries.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ITV News
41 minutes ago
- ITV News
Jac Morgan makes his Lions Test match debut
Jac Morgan makes his Lions Test match debut in the second Test of the Australian tour. The Ospreys captain is the only Welshman in the 45 player squad. Hugo Keenan touched down with seconds left to propel the British and Irish Lions to a series victory over Australia with a 29-26 triumph in the second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Keenan's 80th-minute try was the first time the Lions had been in front in an enthralling contest and came at the end of a do-or-die late surge from Andy Farrell's men. The finish was unbearably tense as the officials checked the score to see if there had been a dangerous clearout by Jac Morgan earlier in the move before clearing the Wales captain of any wrong doing. Captains Harry Wilson and Maro Itoje both looked to influence the decision in a nerve-jangling climax. It completed a stunning comeback after Australia, who were transformed from the side that lost the first Test 27-19, surged 23-5 ahead as a decider in Sydney next Saturday beckoned. But with a game to spare, the Lions won their first series since 2013 and now eye a whitewash that would be a unique achievement in the professional era. Australia were improved immeasurably through the return of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton from calf injuries, with the bulldozing forwards providing the physical edge missing from the first Test. Their presence galvanised the Wallabies and Valetini in particular was a towering figure for the 40 minutes he was on the pitch. Australia's team bus arrived at the MCG 15 minutes late because of heavy traffic, but it was the Lions who were caught cold in a dramatic reversal of the first Test. Valetini was already making a difference on both sides of the ball, the gigantic Skelton was at the heart of two early flashpoints and Tom Lynagh landed two penalties. The Lions hit back when Dan Sheehan dived over from a free-kick, but Australia were rewarded for the ambition they were continuing to show when James Slipper crossed from short range. Errors compounded as Tommy Freeman was sent to the sin-bin because of the tourists' cumulative indiscipline and then came the double blow of the Wallabies running in two tries in three minutes to storm 23-5 ahead. First Jake Gordon dummied his way over and then Tom Wright struck as Australia ignited from the restart with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's run in broken field the catalyst for the score. A thrilling Test took a fresh twist as the Lions – directed by their bustling scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park – began to force gaps in the home defence and as half-time approached, Tom Curry and then Huw Jones broke through. Finn Russell invited pressure on to his team by needlessly kicking the ball straight out and the error was ultimately punished by a Lynagh penalty. The Lions needed one of their players to stand up and Bundee Aki obliged with a massive carry downfield and several big forward runs later Tadhg Beirne was over. Owen Farrell came on for the final quarter with Australia two points ahead and was immediately bumped off by Wilson. The Lions' pack were beginning to dominate with a scrum penalty and held-up maul important moments, but just as it seemed as though they had run out of time, Keenan pinned back his ears and rode a tackle to claim the decisive try.
The Independent
41 minutes ago
- The Independent
More than 50 children swim from Morocco to Spanish enclave in bid to reach Europe
At least 54 children and about 30 adults swam from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in rough seas and fog, Spanish television reported on Saturday. Video footage on Spanish television channel RTVE showed Civil Guard launches making repeated rescue attempts to bring some of the swimmers to safety, while others swam across to the enclave. The children, who were mostly Moroccan, were taken to temporary centres in Ceuta, where authorities called for help from the central government in dealing with the latest arrivals. "Don't leave us alone. This is a matter of state. This has to be resolved," Juan Rivas of the Ceuta regional government told reporters on Saturday. On August 26 last year, hundreds of migrants took advantage of a thick mist to swim to Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, local police said. In 2021, one boy was seen floating on empty plastic bottles in his attempt to reach Ceuta. Spain's two enclaves on Morocco's Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla, share the European Union's only land borders with Africa. The enclaves sporadically experience waves of attempted crossings by migrants trying to reach Europe. Moroccan nationals detained during the crossings are immediately sent back to Morocco unless they are underage or seeking asylum. People from other nationalities are taken to special centres where they are given shelter and released after a few days. Three years ago, at least 23 people died in a stampede when about 2,000 migrants tried to storm into Melilla, pushing down the border fence.
Daily Mirror
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
England fans face fines of up to £500 for wearing football shirts in Spain
The Lionesses face Spain in the final of Euro 2025 on Sunday and fans who are on holiday in Spain have been warned they could be fined if they wear an England top England fans on holiday in Spain have been warned they could face fines of £500 if they put on Lionesses shirts to support the team at Euro 2025. Three Lions supporters getting behind the team could be hit hard in the pocket if they break new public rules which have come into force in some parts of Spain. Tourists have been met with protests in many holiday hotspots in the country with locals angry about the impact on their lives by so many visitors and now you could be fined for wearing unsuitable clothes in locations such as in Majorca. The Lionesses will have the chance to win back-to-back European titles when they play Spain in the final in Switzerland tomorrow. One Sure Insurance has issued the warning, and a spokesperson said: 'We are seeing increasing numbers of British tourists head to their holiday destinations to enjoy matches in the sun. This has meant increasing bans on specific clothing items including football shirts and novelty wear to promote a more respectful environment. 'Majorca has seen multiple restaurants targeting clothes associated with drunken tourism. We've also seen that wearing just a bikini or being bare chested with swimming shorts away from the beach could land tourists fines of up to £500 in various locations.' It comes as drivers have been warned about flags and emblems during the Euros as unsafe attachments could land them with a hefty fine in the UK, reported BirminghamLive. Wrongly attached flags and decorations could be considered an obstruction. Officers can slap drivers with a £300 fine on the spot for an unsecured load, and it could lead to a court appearance where penalties can reach up to £2,500. Regulation 30 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations says: "Every motor vehicle shall be so designed and constructed that the driver thereof while controlling the vehicle can at all times have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle." The government guidance from 2010 set out: "It is not a specific offence to fly a flag on a vehicle and the majority of vehicle flags currently on sale are legal, provided they are fitted to the vehicle in a sensible manner. "However, it is worth noting the following points: flags which are so large that they obscure the driver's view of traffic ahead of the vehicle may contravene Regulation 30 of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. "Flags which are constructed or positioned in such a way that they can cause danger to pedestrians or other road users could contravene Regulations 53 or 100 of the above regulations."
