An inquest has been formally opened into the death in Ibiza of popular north Cumbria man John McKenna.
John, who was aged 22 and lived at Crosby-on-Eden, near Carlisle, died after a balcony fall on June 23 this year while on holiday with friends.
They had been staying at an Azuline hotel in the town of Sant Antoni de Portmany, San Antonio resort.
An inquest into his death was formally opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court this morning.
Coroner Ms Margaret Taylor noted that Carlisle-born John had been an electrician by trade.
Outlining some brief circumstances she had been given following the tragedy, Ms Taylor said: “His room partner had left earlier in the night and gone back to the apartment to go to sleep.
“John had arrived home mid-morning and decided to go for breakfast. After breakfast he found the apartment door locked and he couldn’t wake up his friend. He therefore went outside and saw that the balcony patio door was open.
“He believed he could climb up on to the adjoining balcony and jump across on to his own, but very tragically during the jump he fell, sustaining a fatal head injury.”
Ms Taylor concluded that an inquest would be necessary, saying: “In view of the fact that he has died in Ibiza and we are awaiting information from the authorities in Spain, I’m going to suspend this matter so that we can be sure that we can get all information together prior to re-listing the case for a full hearing.”
A date will be confirmed in due course.
Glowing tributes to John — a son, brother, grandson and nephew — were paid after his death. His family said: “We will all miss his bright spark, wonderful smile and the ability to light up every room.”
Flowers and a football shirt were laid outside the pavilion of his Sunday football league club, Scotby FC. A spokesman said the club had “lost a legend, a brilliant player but an even better person — never forgotten but loved always”.
Friends also took to social media to say they were “absolutely heartbroken” by John’s sudden death.
Almost £28,000 has since been raised through an online JustGiving page to support his repatriation and the #JackTheLad Foundation. This charity helps families who have lost loved ones in overseas accidents.
