British tourists who fell to their death taking a selfie in Spain died after one lost his balance

Police believe British tourists who fell to their death while taking a selfie on 30ft ledge in Spain died after one lost his balance and pulled the other down with him

  • Jayden Dolman, 20, and Daniel Mee, 25, died after falling on to a beach in Spain
  • Pair had been trying to take a selfie on wall overlooking the beach when they fell
  • Third man, named locally as 24-year-old Lewis Higgins, was treated for shock 
  • Sources said the trio had climbed over a safety barrier in order to take a picture

Investigators probing the Costa Blanca deaths of British friends Daniel Mee and Jayden Dolman believe one pulled the other down after losing his balance and desperately trying to hold on.

The tragedy occurred after the holiday pair climbed the wrong side of railings on a raised seafront promenade to take selfies with a third friend.

Police preparing a report for an investigating judge are working on the theory one of the men lost his balance and tried to cling on to his friend’s arm in an instinctive life-saving reaction – but instead of recovering his footing he unintentionally ended up taking his friend with him.

Civil Guard sources also said yesterday that the trio had climbed over a safety barrier above the beach in order to take a picture before falling on to a lifeguard hut below. 

Daniel Mee, 25 (left), died at the scene of the accident on Punta Prima beach, near Torrevieja, on Wednesday evening while 20-year-old Jayden Dolman (right) died Thursday in hospital

The pair are thought to have climbed over the safety barrier at Punta Prima beach, near Torrevieja, before falling off the wall on to a lifeguard station (pictured)

The pair are thought to have climbed over the safety barrier at Punta Prima beach, near Torrevieja, before falling off the wall on to a lifeguard station (pictured) 

Plumber Daniel, 25, and student Jayden, 20, both from Bridgwater, Somerset, plunged around 40ft to the ground at Punta Prima beach near the resort of Torrevieja, around 7.15pm on Wednesday.

The older man died at the scene and the younger one on Thursday morning after being airlifted to Alicante Hospital and admitted to an intensive care unit.

A third man, named locally as 24-year-old Lewis Higgins, was physically unharmed but was taken to Torrevieja Hospital after suffering a panic attack.

He is thought to have been on the right side of the railings when the tragedy occurred.

Investigators have already interviewed him and other witnesses as part of a probe into the accident.

The families of the dead men have travelled to Spain so they can organise the repatriation of their bodies.

Mr Dolman was airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries (pictured) before passing away on Thursday

Mr Dolman was airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries (pictured) before passing away on Thursday 

Jayden’s cousin paid tribute to him in an emotional Facebook page late on Thursday night.

Nicola Rea, a Derby-based nurse, said: ‘Taken far too soon. We are all so devastated to lose such a beautiful young man. My heart is breaking for my cousin and family right now. RIP Jayden Dolman.’

Earlier she had written: ‘I am beyond devastated. My darling Jayden gone too soon. RIP my little angel.’

Another friend of the pair added: ‘RIP Jayden Dolman and Dan Mee. Absolutely gutted. Fly high.’

A Foreign Office spokesman said after it emerged Jayden had died in hospital: ‘We are supporting the families of two British men following their deaths in Alicante, and are in contact with the Spanish authorities. Another British man was involved in the accident, and we are also providing assistance.’

A third British man - named locally as Lewis Higgins, 24 - had to be treated for shock but was not physically injured. Police have launched an investigation (beach, pictured)

A third British man – named locally as Lewis Higgins, 24 – had to be treated for shock but was not physically injured. Police have launched an investigation (beach, pictured)

Wednesday evening’s double tragedy occurred less than three days after Luke Freeman, 19, from Reading, Berkshire, died after plunging from holiday apartments in the Costa Brava resort of Lloret de Mar.                

Punta Prima is the headland marking the border between the municipalities of Orihuela and Torrevieja.

Punta Prima beach won the prestigious Ecoplaya award in 2010.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk