SPANISH police have closed an investigation into the death of a young Irish tourist who fell to his death while on a pleasure boat cruise off the coast of Tenerife. A post-mortem investigation revealed that Mr Garry Walton (21), from Co Waterford, died from a heart attack in the water.
Reports that Mr Walton could have been pushed overboard have been ruled out by Spanish police. A spokesman for the Guardia Civil in Tenerife said that, following the tragedy two weeks ago, police took statements from every one of the 45 holidaymakers on the pleasure boat Batros, and were satisfied that Mr Walton's death was an accident.
"We understand that Mr Walton was in the back of the boat along with six or seven people when he fell overboard," said a police spokesman, "but there was no argument and no one saw him being pushed. We have no doubt that this was an accident."
After Mr Walton fell overboard, fellow passengers immediately alerted the captain, who turned the boat round. Night conditions made the search for Mr Walton very difficult. His body was found later by Tenerife coast guards.
The Batros is popular with tourists who hold parties while cruising off the coast of Tenerife.
According to Mr Tomas Gonszalez, head of Maritime Rescue in Tenerife, the vessel fulfilled all required safety conditions. He said it was the first accident of its kind in three years.
Mr Walton had gone to Tenerife for a week-long holiday with two friends. He was the eldest of three children of Robert and Catherine Walton. His body was flown home last week and he was buried in Touraneena, Co Waterford.