Holidaymaker Paul Thompson dies after fall on Zakynthos

Oct 23 2009 By Dave Black, The Journal

DISTRAUGHT family and friends are mourning the loss a Northumberland man who died following a tragic accident while on holiday in Greece.

Paul Thompson, 35, suffered severe injuries after falling and hitting his head shortly after arriving on the sunshine island of Zakynthos last month.

It is believed he slipped and fell by a swimming pool at his resort and he was taken to a local hospital, where he lapsed into a coma.

Mr Thompson, who lived alone in Stanley Gardens, Seghill, near Cramlington, was later transferred to another hospital in Patras on the Greek mainland. He failed to come out of the coma and died from his injuries on October 8, leaving his family to arrange for his body to be brought home.

It is understood that Mr Thompson, whose father Jeff and stepmother Wendy live in Kentmere Close, Seghill, had travelled to Zakynthos on his own and had been really looking forward to the break.

His father, who is a carpet fitter and runs his own business, Cozee Carpet Interiors, was too upset to talk about the tragedy.

Mr Thompson’s death has shocked young couple Rebecca Knights and Gary Anderson, who have lived next door to him since moving into their flat six months ago.

Rebecca said: “Paul was a lovely lad who was really friendly and helpful. He even offered to help fit our carpets when we moved in.

“He went away for a week’s holiday in Greece on a Thursday and the day before we had sat with him for about two hours talking about it.

“He was really over the moon and excited about it, and said he couldn’t wait to go abroad. He was due back the following Thursday but we saw Wendy, his stepmum, and she said he had died. We were completely shocked and could not believe it. Paul wasn’t one for going out to pubs but he had friends and was well liked.”

Gary said: “We spoke to him almost every day and he always used to knock on the door and ask if we wanted anything. I believe he slipped and fell by the pool on his second day there and slipped straight into a coma.”

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said officials had been informed of Mr Thompson’s admission to hospital on Zakynthos on September 26, and had provided consular assistance to his family.

“He fell into a coma and was moved to a hospital in Patras but never recovered from his injuries,” she added.

Mr Thompson’s family and friends gathered yesterday for his funeral at Blyth Links Cemetery. They have asked for donations to be made to his favourite charity, the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals.