27-05-2025
'Precious and happy' Irish boy, 4, dies in Tenerife swimming tragedy
A four-year-old Northern Irish boy has tragically died following a swimming pool accident while on holiday in Tenerife.
Edward James Watson Massey, from Co Down, has been remembered as a 'precious and happy little boy' after he tragically died on Thursday, May 22. According to local media, the young boy suffered a cardiac arrest due to ingesting a large amount of water while swimming in a hotel pool in Golf del Sur.
An emergency response report shows the Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES) received an alert that a minor was rescued from a hotel pool by a lifeguard and was in cardiorespiratory arrest just before 5pm. Two advanced life support ambulances and a medical helicopter were dispatched to the hotel.
However, despite resuscitation efforts, the four-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Local police assisted at the scene and the Guardia Civil has taken charge of the investigation.
A funeral notice for Edward James Watson Massey reads: 'Precious son of Richard and Joanne. Loving brother and best friend of Victoria. Funeral arrangements to follow. Edward will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all his friends and family circle.
'He will be cherished in our hearts forever. Our lives will never be the same without him." Tributes to the young boy have flowed in online. One person wrote: 'My hearts in a million pieces the most precious and happy little boy, an absolute joy to be around. You are so so loved Edward.'
Another said: 'This is absolutely heartbreaking. To Richard, Joanne, Victoria and the extended Watson and Massey families we send our deepest sympathy on your unimaginable loss.' A third commented: 'Absolutely heartbreaking thinking of the entire family and keeping you all in my prayers.'
In response to the tragedy, a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British child who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities."
