20-05-2025
Brit tourist, 68, dies three months after 'unprovoked' attack on Spanish island left him in a coma with horrific head injuries
A British man has died from his injuries three months after he was attacked 'out of the blue' by a stranger while on holiday in Spain.
Retired carpenter Marshall Latham, from Nantwich, Cheshire, was left in a coma with life-changing injuries after he was punched and knocked unconscious after he fell to the ground as he walked back to his apartment in Fuerteventura on December 10.
An inquest was opened into the death of Mr Latham - known as Marsh to his friends - at Warrington Coroner's Court last Wednesday.
He died on March 16 at the Walton Centre at Aintree Hospital, aged 68, three months after the assault which caused a traumatic brain injury so severe that doctors warned he was unlikely to recover.
After being transferred to a hospital in Gran Canaria, he had part of his skull removed, a tracheotomy and a drain on his brain to help ease pressure. Mr Latham also developed pneumonia twice.
He was finally repatriated to Aintree Hospital on March 1, before dying just weeks later.
A coroner officer requested an inquest be opened due to the cause of death being 'unnatural', Warrington Guardian reported.
The inquest has now been suspended until August as Spanish police consider any criminal charges.
A 32-year-old British man was reported to have been arrested as he tried to board a flight to Glasgow in the aftermath of the attack.
Having been identified from CCTV, the man appeared in court on suspicion of wounding and was released on bail, as the investigation continues.
A GoFundMe page set up by Mr Latham's family and friends after his attack to support legal fees not covered by travel insurance, said the holidaymaker had been 'in the wrong place at the wrong time'.
Fundraising organiser Neil Cooper wrote on the page, which has so far garnered more than £17,000 said: 'We want to bring Marsh's attacker to justice and although this won't change his medical situation, it will allow his friends and family to know that the person who did this has to face the consequences of their actions.
'Marsh didn't ask for this, he certainly didn't deserve this and it was just a case of him being in the wrong place at the wrong time which has caused him to be in this situation.'
In an updated post days after the holidaymaker's death, Mr Cooper said that Marsh had been 'loved by so many people', adding that the family are now pursuing justice for him.
He wrote: 'We brought him back to a hospital in the UK last week via air ambulance where he received incredible care and the staff were really great but sadly his health deteriorated and on Sunday we said goodbye to him.
'Getting him back to the UK was really important, there were so many of his friends and family that hadn't seen him.
'He had lots of visitors every day which was lovely and I'm glad so many people got a chance to say goodbye to him.
'The start of December when he was attacked feels like such a long time ago and he had been through so much, he is finally at peace now and is no longer suffering.
'It's more important now than ever that we seek justice for Marsh and we have been back and forth with the solicitors this week understanding how his death changes the case.
'Thank you for all the kind words and messages we have received. It's been really comforting to know that Marsh was loved by so many people.'
In the wake of the assault, Mr Latham's brother-in-law told local newspaper The Nantwich News: 'He and Lynn go to Fuerteventura three or four times a year, they have loads of friends over there.
'Lynn had gone back to their apartment, and Marsh stayed for another drink and was walking home when something has happened.
'He was hit by this guy, somewhere near a taxi rank, and he has gone down and hit his head on the concrete floor.
'Witnesses have told police this was a completely unprovoked punch, there was no argument and they did not know each other.
'All we know is that the man they suspect was arrested on a plane as he tried to fly to Glasgow.
'We are also told this man had been thrown out of a bar on the same night before the attack.
'Marsh has never been in any trouble or even had a parking ticket. He was just a chap on holiday with his partner.'
Local councillor Allen Gage wrote at the time in a social media post: 'We need justice.
'A much cherished friend of mine, a gentleman that would give you the shirt from his back was sadly attacked and put in a coma while in Spain just before Christmas.
'He literally crossed the road to help someone out - no surprise there. Mr Marshall Latham, 'Marsh' to his friends, continues to fight on in a coma.
'A community fundraiser has been launched to pursue civil justice. Thanks to all those who have contributed.
'Fight on Marsh, we will fight for you too.'
