teen hockey star dies after fall at ibiza rocks hotel

Gary Kelly, 19, died in a fall from the third floor of Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio in the early hours of this morning (Pictures Whitley Warriors Facebook)

Tributes have been paid to a promising hockey player named as the teenager who plunged to his death off an Ibiza Rocks hotel balcony.

Gary Kelly, 19, died in a fall from the third floor of Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio in the early hours of this morning, according to police.

A family statement read: ‘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

Commemorating his jersey number 12, they added: ‘You’ll forever be our boy Gary, Sleep tight’.

Ibiza Rocks in Spain has suspended its events after a teenager became the third British tourist to die there this year.

Tributes have flooded in for Gary Kelly

Gary, from Dundee, played for Scotland and Aberdeen Lynxes, where he was hailed for his passion when he pulled on their jerseys.

Scottish Ice Hockey said: ‘Gary was a dedicated and talented player who proudly wore the Scotland jersey.

‘He brought commitment, energy, and integrity to the sport both on and off the ice. His passion for hockey and the positive impact he had on teammates, coaches, and those around him will not be forgotten.

‘At just 19 years old, Gary had already demonstrated remarkable potential and was widely respected throughout the Scottish ice hockey community.

‘His love for the game and the contribution he made to the clubs he played for have left a lasting legacy.’

Gary’s death came after Evan Thomson, 26, from Aberdeen, fell and died at the same four-star hotel at a belated birthday celebration on July 7.

Spanish media reported at the time that the unnamed woman was suffering health problems.

It is understood that she had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, a small battery-powered device fitted under the collarbone to monitor heartbeats and treat abnormal heart rhythms using electric impulses.

In the latest incident, two ambulances rushed to the hotel after reports the teenager had fallen around 12.30am today.

A spokesperson for the local police said this morning: ‘We are investigating the death of a 19-year-old British man at a hotel in San Antonio in Ibiza.

‘The alarm was raised around 12.40am this morning.

Evan Thompson died after falling from the hotel on July 7

‘Our officers were sent to the scene but the man in question was already dead by the time help arrived.

‘The fall was from from the third floor of the hotel to an outside part of the complex.

‘Court officials authorised the removal of his body at 2.40am this morning.

‘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.’

Ibiza Rocks, famous for its DJ sets, posted on its social media today that it was ‘deeply shocked’ by the recent incidents at the hotel.

It added: ‘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. All customers will be informed directly via email.’

Ibiza Rocks’ statement on Facebook

It said the safety and wellbeing of its guests has and always will remain their highest priority.

‘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,’ it wrote.

Following Mr Thompson’s death last week, his mum Lel Kellighan, wrote on Facebook: ‘I’m absolutely heartbroken to write and tell you all, earlier this week my son Evan was in a tragic accident whilst on holiday with his friends in Ibiza and sadly passed away.

‘We are all absolutely broken.’

The hotel said in a statement that Mr Thompson’s passing was ‘truly tragic’ and ‘extremely sad’.

‘Our senior management team onsite did everything possible to help the police with their investigation into events leading up to Evan’s death, and to provide constant support from our customer services manager to Evan’s friends,’ they said.

The hotel is a popular party venue, famous for its DJ sets (Credits: Solarpix.com)

One local newspaper said people had started calling Ibiza Rocks the ‘Death Hotel’, although it is not suggesting the venue is to blame for the deaths.

The three Brits who died there this year are not the first. In 2008 Britishholidaymaker Michael Robertson collapsed there after taking several ecstasy tablets.

He died in hospital the following day on September 1. Reports at the time said post-mortem tests revealed traces of cocaine in his body as well as ecstasy and alcohol.

The hotel first opened as Club Paraiso Mediterraneo in 1998 as an apartment hotel with 368 units and had Spanish three-star rating.

In 2008 it was bought by the Ibiza Rocks organisation, led by British couple Andy McKay and Dawn Hindle who were behind Ibiza super club Manumission.

At its official opening in May 2008 it was billed as the first 24-hour rock ’n’ roll hotel and launched with the slogan ‘You’ll still be Rocking When the Sun Goes Down.’

Ibiza Rocks has been called the ‘Death Hotel’ (Picture: Solarpix.com)

No long after, The Streets’ star Mike Skinner did a set at the hotel which ended with fans jumping in the pool and emergency services being called.

The hotel has hosted many big-name performers including David Guetta, Ed Sheeran, Fatboy Slim and the Swedish House Mafia.

Locals living near the hotel have complained about noise from parties and guests getting drunk.

And Ibiza news website Noudiari, wrote today: ‘This hotel, located in the town centre of Sant Antonio, 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’.’

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