British man plunges to his death from fifth-floor hotel balcony while on stag do in Benidorm

  • Alan Clare, 34, was on a stag do with friends in the Spanish resort
  • Tried to climb onto fifth-floor balcony after being locked out
  • Mr Clare, from Warrington, was an amateur rugby player

By Jennifer Smith

Published: | Updated:


Alan Clare, pictured during a trip to New York, died after falling from a balcony in Benidorm during a stag do

Alan Clare, pictured during a trip to New York, died after falling from a balcony in Benidorm during a stag do

An amateur rugby player plunged to his death after falling from a hotel balcony in Benidorm, Spain.

Alan Clare was in the holiday resort celebrating a stag do with friends when he tried to climb onto the balcony from an open window, it is believed.

The 34-year-old from Warrington was found dead at around 3am yesterday morning.

His body was found at the four star Las Dalmatas Hotel near the resort's Levante Beach after falling five stories.

Mr Clare returned to the hotel alone after spending his first night in Spain out with friends.

Known as Bundy to friends, the sportsman played rugby for Bank Quay Bulls rugby league club. 

Friends have paid their tributes online, posting messages of shock and grief to Mr Clare's Facebook.

Joanne Boyle wrote: 'Still carnt believe your gone, just wish it was a big nightmare!!

'You was such a lovely lad, guna miss are fun times we ad on are hols, it will never be the same!! Sleep tight bundy!! Rip!!! Xxxxxx' (sic)

Ste Arnold added: 'Shocked and gutted to hear of bundy's passin he was top bloke and it was an honour and a privelage to play alongside one of the original bank quay allstars, sad day, rest in peace bund.' (sic) 

Police are not treating his death as suspicious.

Tragedy: The 34-year-old from Warrington fell to his death trying to climb onto his hotel room balcony after being locked out at Las Dalmatas Hotel, Benidorm

Tragedy: The 34-year-old from Warrington fell to his death trying to climb onto his hotel room balcony after being locked out at Las Dalmatas Hotel, Benidorm

A British Embassy spokesman said: 'Consular staff in Spain have this year assisted in a number of cases of very serious injuries - including some fatal - caused by falls from balconies.

'Such incidents are often the result of people being under the influence of drink or drugs.

'We strongly urge people to be aware of the risks and that balcony accidents do happen - with awful consequences.

'Your travel insurance may not cover the potentially very large costs that can result from a balcony fall while you're under the influence of drink or drugs.'

Thomas Ousby, 19, from London, and Craig Knapp, 31, from Dundee, both fell to their deaths from balconies in Mallorca.

While 24-year-old Grant Weston, from Pembroke, died after plunging 50ft from a hotel in Ibiza.

Kevin Louis, 27, was killed after falling more than 30ft from a balcony in Mallorca in 2010.

Fatal fall: Mr Clare was visiting the popular Spanish resort of Benidorm to celebrate a friend's stag-do when he died

Fatal fall: Mr Clare was visiting the popular Spanish resort of Benidorm to celebrate a friend's stag-do when he died

Charlotte Faris, 23, Benjamin Harper, 28, and 20-year-old Adam Atkinson, all suffered similar deaths in Magaluf last year.

A further 43 British nationals have suffered injuries including fractured skulls, punctured lungs and broken bones in the same period.

Nikki White, ABTA's Head of Destinations and Sustainability, said: 'We are urging young holidaymakers to think about the potential risks of balconies.

'We see too many people permanently injured or worse because they've tried to climb over or dive off their hotel balcony.

'We want people to enjoy their holidays but would advise them to think about the ramifications of their behaviour abroad.

'Incidents such as these have devastating consequences for holidaymakers and for their families.

'By working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, tourist authorities and ABTA Members in resort we hope to help holidaymakers stop and think about how they use their balconies to prevent more of these tragic and avoidable incidents.'


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