A British man who died after being punched in the face in the Ibiza party resort of San Antonio has been described as a ‘lovely lad’ by his friends and family.
Loved ones paid tribute to former British Gas manager Harry Kingsland, 21, as his alleged killer – another 21-year-old Briton – was set for his first court appearance on the island.
Mr Kingsland is thought to have been trying to break up a fight at a flat in San Antonio when he was attacked early on Wednesday morning.
The man suspected of killing Mr Kingsland, from Birmingham, was held by police at a roundabout near the scene around 7.40am on Wednesday after jumping out of the second-floor apartment.
Harry Kingsland (pictured), who died after being punched in the face in the Ibiza party resort of San Antonio, has been described as a ‘lovely lad’ by his friends and family
Ibiza worker Sara Claffey, from Crumlin, Dublin, changed her Facebook profile picture 9shown above) to one of her with Harry in a tribute to her ‘best pal’
Both men were working in San Antonio for the summer. It is not clear at this stage if they knew each other.
Ibiza worker Sarah Claffey, from Crumlin, Dublin, changed her Facebook profile picture to one of her with Harry in a tribute to her ‘best pal.’
She wrote: ‘The pain I have in my heart. I’ve never felt pain like this in my life. That is a day that will never leave my mind until the day I die.
‘My best pal taken for absolutely f*****g nothing. The anger I have and the pain I feel has me so heartbroken.’
Anthony Kingsland, who described Harry as his ‘little brother’, added: ‘I really can’t believe I’m never going to see my little brother again.
‘I love you Harry Kingsland. You were such a genuine lovely lad and didn’t deserve this. I will never ever forget you bro.’
Sarah Weir said: ‘So many lives devastated by one senseless act. There is no justice. He was a beautiful child and grew into an amazing man.’
Sunseekers’ rep Caitlin Naughton, a former club promoter in Ibiza who is still based on the island, wrote on Facebook: ‘Things like this are upsetting but when it’s someone you know it makes it about 10x worse. Such a nice genuine lad, still can’t believe it. Life is too short. RIP Harry.’
Loved ones paid tribute to former British Gas manager Harry Kingsland, 21, as his alleged killer – another 21-year-old Briton – was set for his first court appearance on the island
A 21-year-old British man has died in Ibiza after being punched in the face by a fellow Briton, according to reports in Spain. The incident is said to have taken place in the s’Era d’en Manyà square in San Antonio (file picture)
She added in a subsequent message: ‘It’s so sad cause the guy would have probably done anything for anyone.
‘He helped me out when I was like pretty much passed out. Bless him, proper upset me.’
Ibiza hotel worker Matt Ryan, from Liverpool, added: ‘Still expecting him to show up to work. Doesn’t seem real. Absolutely gutted. RIP Harry. Gone too soon.’
Local reports say Harry died after being hit as he tried to break up a fight.
An autopsy showed he was punched more than once before going into cardiac arrest.
The British man held over his death will be quizzed on suspicion of homicide, although any formal charges would not be laid until later on in the ongoing criminal probe as is normal under Spanish law.
He is expected to be remanded in custody after his court appearance later today.
A spokesman for the local council said after the arrest on Wednesday: ‘Local police have arrested a British man aged 21 as the suspected author of an assault which caused the death of another British man of the same age.
‘Local police went to a flat at 7.40am in the town where a fight had occurred between British youngsters.
‘The alleged aggressor, who jumped from a second-floor flat to flee, was arrested at San Antonio’s main roundabout.
‘He is currently in police custody awaiting a court appearance.
‘Police, Civil Guard and emergency medical responders gained access to the flat where the incident happened but it proved impossible to save the victim.’
The roundabout where the suspect was arrested is one of the main landmarks in San Antonio. It is known as the Egg, with the huge egg statue there said by some to be a tribute to Christopher Colombus.