Father-of-four tourist who collapsed and died on Magaluf Street became lost after being separated from his wife and children while on holiday with a group of Irish families
The tourist who fell asleep and died in the middle of the street in Magaluf early Monday morning was a popular family man from Ireland who got lost after a night out, it has emerged.
Michael Grant, 45, a physiotherapist from Waterford, was found unconscious at around 4.30am near the resort’s notorious Punta Bellena promenade, lined with bars, nightclubs and lap dancing clubs.
Mr Grant was on holiday in Magaluf with his wife Leanne and their four children and other families from Ireland when the tragedy occurred.
The group stayed at the Sol Katmandu Park and Resort, which is popular with families with young children.
This afternoon, Irish local radio station WLR reported that Mr Grant was from Waterford.
Michael Grant (pictured), 45, tragically collapsed and died in the middle of the street in Magaluf on Monday morning
Mr Grant was a popular family man from Ireland who got lost after a night out, it has emerged. In the photo: A view of the road where the man was found this morning
Mr Grant, a physiotherapist from Waterford, was found unconscious at around 4.30am near Magaluf’s notorious Punta Bellena strip, which is packed with night bars, nightclubs and lap dancing venues. Pictured: Locals look on today as police work at the scene
Today, his family and friends are reportedly devastated by his unexpected death.
“Mr. Grant’s family and friends were crying all morning,” a hotel worker revealed.
‘He stayed at the hotel with his wife and children. They were part of a large group, other families, all on holiday together.’
Mr Grant had had a drink by the hotel pool before heading into town, it is believed.
The hotel worker added: ‘He had been drinking by the pool all afternoon. And then he went outside.’
It is believed Mr Grant became separated from the other members of his group and became disoriented before collapsing as he crossed Martin Ros Garcia Street, near the Blue Bar restaurant.
It is believed he took a wrong turn when he wanted to return to his hotel, which is on the opposite side from where he was found.
A security guard alerted local police after seeing him collapse and fall to the ground.
Attempts to revive him at the scene were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
But his body was not recovered from the street until several hours later, when police launched an investigation into his unexpected death.
A local shopkeeper told MailOnline: ‘I wasn’t there when the man died, it was about four in the morning. But when I got to work at about 8 in the morning his body was still on the floor. It was horrible.’
A strip of paper from what appears to be the instructions for a defibrillator can be seen on the street where Mr Grant was found unconscious this morning
Mr Grant was on holiday in Magaluf with his wife Leanne and their four children and other families from Ireland when the tragedy occurred. Pictured: The road where he was found
A hotel lifeguard added: ‘The man was already dead when I arrived at work.
‘He was lying on the road at the zebra crossing. It was earig. I didn’t look that well, that’s bad luck.’
A spokeswoman for Mr Grant’s family declined a request to comment on his tragic death, but a relative posted a tribute online to the beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend.
It read: ‘Michael passed away suddenly while on holiday with family and friends.
Deeply mourned and forever loved by his heartbroken wife Leanne, his four children Kayley, Niamh, Shay and Sofia, his devastated parents Michael (Sam) and Marie (Grant), sisters Jeannette, Deborah and Deirdre, brothers and best friends Brian and Alan, his parents-in-law Luke and Tina (Nolan), brothers-in-law Les and Shane, Shane’s wife Trish, sisters-in-law Lilian, Sinead and Catherine, and Catherine’s partner Gordon.
“Always remembered and forever loved by his ten nieces and nephews, godchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family, relatives, neighbors and his wide circle of wonderful friends. May he rest in peace forever.”
Holidaymakers told of their shock at Mr Grant’s sudden death.
Friends Brenda and Shirley from Wolverhampton described his death as a tragedy.
Brenda, 65, said: ‘It’s terrible that he just dropped dead in the street. Forty-five is not old, how could this happen?’
Shirley added: ‘People do drink during the holidays, but you don’t expect something like this.’
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs declined to comment today when contacted by MailOnline.
Grant was initially incorrectly described in the media as a 49-year-old Briton, but it was later confirmed that he was traveling on an Irish passport.
A spokesperson for Calvia Council, the local authority responsible for Magaluf, had previously said: ‘A British tourist aged 45 died on the street in the Magaluf district this morning. It happened around 4:30 am. The dead man was staying in a hotel nearby.”
He added: ‘A worker at a local establishment alerted police and said a man was unwell and staggering around in the street.
The group stayed at the Sol Katmandu Park and Resort (pictured), which is popular with families with young children
“Local police arrived and performed CPR but were unable to revive him. The Guardia Civil has taken over the investigation to determine the cause of death.’
A Guardia Civil source said: ‘This death does not appear to be linked to crime in any way, but the autopsy will be key to determining what happens next.’
It is reported that an autopsy will take place today.
It is hoped that surveillance cameras can shed light on the incident.