Ibiza Rocks, Summer Pool Party (Image: Ibiza Rocks)
The infamous Ibiza Rocks Hotel has been struck by another devastating incident after a British tourist plummeted to his death from the hotel’s balcony. Gary Kelly, 19, was holidaying on the Spanish island when he plunged from the third floor of the four-star Ibiza Rocks Hotel shortly after midnight on Monday. Two ambulances rushed to the scene, but medics confirmed there was nothing they could do to save him.
A Civil Guard spokesperson confirmed 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. 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.”, reports the Mirror.
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Friends of a Scottish tourist who plunged to his death at an Ibiza hotel have criticised management for jet-washing away his blood just 90 minutes after he died. Evan Thomson, 26, from Aberdeen, was celebrating his birthday with friends when he tragically lost his life at the famous Ibiza Rocks Hotel on July 7. Paramedics rushed to the site of the incident on the hotel grounds but pronounced him dead at the scene. (Image: )
Well-placed sources confirmed the hotel where the tragedy occurred is the famous Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio. The source said: “The post-mortem will help to determine if the man who died had consumed alcohol or taken drugs beforehand and in what quantities.” The teen’s tragic death comes just a fortnight after Scottish holidaymaker Evan Thomson lost his life after falling from his sixth-floor balcony at the same hotel while celebrating his 26th birthday with friends. Evan was pronounced dead at the scene after medics rushed to the hotel at around 6am on July 7.
Friends and family of Evan lambasted the hotel management for their handling of the aftermath, alleging that normal operations resumed in under 90 minutes following his harrowing death. They were incensed by social media posts purportedly promoting their next pool party mere hours later.
They also claimed they were left waiting in an office “without answers” for an hour after being notified of Evan’s death before being permitted to return to their rooms. The Brit’s companions stated they were instructed to gather their belongings and move to another hotel in the vicinity.
Undated handout image showing the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio, Ibiza (PLEASE NOTE – POOL ICON IS ARTIFICIALLY APPLIED TO IMAGE), London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Monday March 1, 2008. Ibiza Rocks Hotel – the destination for a new generation of live music lovers – launches live with The Enemy on 31st May 08 – book now at www.ibizarockshotel.com. Photo credit should read: PA Wire (Image: PA)
Evan’s sister Teila remarked: “Ibiza is known for its partying and it just stuns me that they don’t have higher safety precautions. Pray nobody else suffers. And, once it did happen, the hotel’s response was just completely heartbreaking; almost as if it never happened. I pray no other family has to go through this.” Remi Duncan, 23, commented: “It was disgusting. There was minimal respect for the situation, considering the music went back on soon after Evan had died. It puts a pit in your stomach.”
Tragedy struck at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in April when a 33 year old British woman died on the premises. Local police and paramedics were dispatched to the scene, located just a stone’s throw away from one of the world’s most renowned sunsets, after receiving an emergency call around 6.30pm on April 30.
Upon arrival, they found the holidaymaker in cardiac arrest and attempted CPR for approximately 40 minutes, but sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Sources indicated there were no signs of foul play regarding her death. Earlier that month, on April 27, a 19 year old Italian tourist of Turkish descent met a tragic end after falling from the fourth floor of the same hotel. She had arrived on the island the day before and had been out enjoying the nightlife.
It was reported that she was attempting to access her room via a balcony from a communal area after realising she was without her key card when she slipped and fell. Her lifeless body was discovered at about 9am on April 27. Following these heartbreaking events, Ibiza Rocks Hotel has put a halt to its events while investigations are underway. The hotel issued a statement saying: “We are deeply shocked and devastated by the recent incidents that have tragically occurred. 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.
“The safety and wellbeing of our guests has and always will remain our highest priority. 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.”
The Ibiza Rocks Hotel, a renowned destination celebrated for its poolside live music events showcasing leading artists and DJs, attracts swarms of British tourists. The establishment features an expansive swimming pool, sun decks, bars, and entertainment facilities, luring young Britons with its electric ambiance. Visitors are frequently spotted dancing on balconies towering up to six floors above the performance area or in the pool, typically whilst under the influence.
The party schedule has been paused in light of the latest tragedy (Image: )
A former guest who visited “many years ago” revealed to the Mirror: “It was full of 18-24 year olds, girls were more interested in their looks etc than getting drunk but the boys were getting very drunk and high. Drugs were most of the problem. I actually saw the body of a teenager lying on the ground after he fell from the balcony of a hotel nearby. It turned out he was the precious son of a good family who was on his first boys holiday and was a talented rugby player.”
They continued: “The main trouble is ketamine – it makes users hallucinate and feel invincible. Spanish police once said it was main reason for the balcony deaths – and the fact that guys try to get to each other balconies for a laugh. It has not changed sadly.”
Previous visitors to the establishment have voiced their concerns across social media platforms. One reveller commented: “It’s a really fun place… until it isn’t. It’s 24/7 carnage, just party after party with everyone dancing on balconies or swimming in pools even though they’re wasted.”
Ibiza Rocks Hotel has faced another fatal tragedy (Image: Google Maps)
Another individual posted on X: “This place needs shut down! The stories that are coming out and the way they treat their guests is appalling! A pattern like this shows serious safety failings but they continued business as usual and now unfortunately another young man has died! Heartbreaking.” A separate user observed: “The balcony railings are far too low it seems to me.”
Another raged: “How many people need to die before you ACTUALLY do something about the safety of your hotel! absolutely ridiculous! ! ! ! ! Rest in peace Evan, so lucky to have known you.”
On TripAdvisor, one reviewer condemned: “A horror, to flee absolutely! ! Hotel just horrible. Customers are disrespectful and there is no control or oversight by staff. If you want to spend a sleepless night, you’ve come to the right place: it’s noisy, poorly insulated, and chaos reigns all night. No respect for the rest of others. A frankly unpleasant experience from start to finish. Go your way!”.
Gary Kelly Scot who died after falling from balcony at Ibiza Rocks Hotel Taken from open Facebook page (Image: Facebook)
In an assessment from August last year, one holidaymaker declared: “DECADENT! Hotel is full of drunk people screaming and shouting 24/7 – security is rude and they don’t have control over it”. Despite some reservations, the hotel has been showered with praise from numerous guests who’ve enjoyed their stays at this vibrant party destination.
A jubilant traveller exclaimed on Tripadvisor: “Wow! ! ! I have just got back from 4 nights @ Ibiza Rocks and it has been INCREDIBLE! I travelled alone with a friend meeting me out there later in the week!”.
Another guest enthused: “This hotel is absolutely wild and is totally for the party goers in Ibiza. There is music daily. The hotel is very clean, staff are fabulous and so accommodating. I was expecting a very young crowd here but surprising the age group was late 20’s to mid 40’s which was great. It was definitely an experience”.
A third visitor recounted their group holiday: “Stayed for a hen party with a group of 15 girls – hotel was fantastic, rooms were clean and staff were really friendly and helpful – highly recommend the rooftop room for hens was so great having the extra space! The chill pool is so good, prices there are so reasonable too – shop on site and also right opposite with everything you need – walking distance to everywhere you want to go that side of the Island!”.
