Southend teen dies in Ibiza after cardiac arrest in sea

Jude Harvey's family said he was a strong swimmer and "into health and fitness"

A 19-year-old British man died in Ibiza after suffering a cardiac arrest at a beach, a court has heard.

Jude Harvey, a trainee hairdresser from Southend-on-Sea, was on the Spanish island when his step-sister saw he was unresponsive in the sea.

His family said he did not drink alcohol or take recreational drugs and was on holiday for the music scene.

Essex area coroner Michelle Brown concluded at a short inquest that his death was the result of an accident.

Mr Harvey's family described him as a "giant of a young man who was kind-hearted and strong".

Jude Harvey died at Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza Town

The coroner was told there was no defibrillator on the beach when Mr Harvey suffered his first cardiac arrest and said ambulances took "a long time" to attend, but his step-sister attempted CPR.

Mr Harvey suffered three cardiac arrests before arriving at Can Misses Hospital in Ibiza Town.

He was in intensive care for two days but was not responsive due to a "lack of oxygen to the brain", Essex coroner's court heard. He died on 23 July.

Pathologists in Ibiza gave a cause of death as tissue anoxia and suffocation by submersion.

'Outstanding care'

The coroner was told his body was flown into London Gatwick Airport and onward to Southend Crematorium.

The teenager was a "strong swimmer" and "into health and fitness", his family said.

His father Gary and his step-mother, also named Jude, said in a statement after the hearing: "He had a magical presence, a total gentleman with a huge sensitive heart.

"A very creative soul with lots of ideas, with so much opportunity."

Friends have started raising money for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity in his memory. His family said they hoped to set up a Jude Harvey Foundation in the future to raise awareness around the issue.

"Our family and our friends, including Jude's friends, have not stopped caring for us - we are incredibly grateful," they said, adding that all the health professionals in Ibiza were "outstanding".