The tourist who collapsed and died in the middle of the road in Magaluf in the early hours of Monday was a popular family man from Ireland who had gone missing after a night of partying, it has emerged.
Michael Grant, a 45-year-old physiotherapist from Waterford, was found unconscious near the famous Punta Bellena tourist area, packed with late-night bars, nightclubs and erotic dancing venues, at around 4.30am.
Mr Grant was on holiday in Magaluf with his wife Leanne and their four children and other family from Ireland when the tragedy occurred.
The group stayed at the Sol Katmandu Park and Resort, which is popular with families with young children.
This afternoon, local Irish radio station WLR reported that Mr Grant was from Waterford.
Michael Grant (pictured), 45, tragically collapsed and died in the middle of the road in Magaluf in the early hours of Monday morning.
It has emerged that Mr Grant was a popular family man from Ireland who had gone missing after a night of partying. Pictured: A view of the street where the man was found this morning
Mr Grant, a physiotherapist from Waterford, was found unconscious near Magaluf’s famous Punta Bellena area, packed with late-night bars, clubs and lap dancing venues, at around 4.30am. Pictured: Neighbours watch police work at the scene today
His family and friends are said to be in shock over his unexpected death today.
“Mr. Grant’s family and friends were crying all morning,” a hotel worker said.
“He was staying at the hotel with his wife and children. They were part of a large group, other families, who were on holiday together.”
Mr Grant is believed to have been enjoying drinks by the hotel pool before heading out on the town.
The hotel worker added: “He had been drinking by the pool all afternoon and then went out.”
Mr Grant is believed to have become separated from other members of his group and disorientated before collapsing while crossing Calle Martín Ros García, near the Blue Bar restaurant.
He is believed to have taken the wrong turn when trying to return to his hotel, which is in the opposite direction to where he was found.
A security guard alerted the local police after seeing him collapse and fall to the ground.
Attempts to revive him at the scene were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
But her body was not recovered from the street until several hours later, when police launched an investigation into her unexpected death.
A local trader told MailOnline: “I wasn’t there when the man died, it was about four in the morning. But when I got to work at about eight in the morning his body was still on the ground. It was horrible.”
A strip of paper appearing to contain instructions for a defibrillator is seen on the street where Mr Grant was found unconscious this morning.
Mr Grant was on holiday in Magaluf with his wife Leanne and their four children and other family from Ireland when the tragedy occurred. Pictured: the road where he was found
A hotel lifeguard added: “The man was already dead when I arrived at work.
“He was lying on the street, next to the pedestrian crossing. It was a very dark place. I didn’t want to look too closely, it’s bad luck.”
A spokeswoman for Grant’s family declined a request for comment on his tragic death, but a relative posted a tribute online to the much-loved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend.
It said: ‘Michael died suddenly whilst on holiday with family and friends.
‘Deeply regretted and forever loved by his heartbroken wife Leanne, four children Kayley, Niamh, Shay and Sofia, devastated parents Michael (Sam) and Marie (Grant), sisters Jeannette, Deborah and Deirdre, brothers and best friends Brian and Alan, in-laws Luke and Tina (Nolan), brothers-in-law Les and Shane, Shane’s wife Trish, sisters-in-law Lilian, Sinead and Catherine, Catherine’s partner Gordon.
‘Always remembered and loved by his ten nieces, nephews, godchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family, relatives, neighbors and his wide circle of wonderful friends. May he rest in peace forever.’
Tourists have expressed shock at Mr Grant’s sudden death.
Friends Brenda and Shirley from Wolverhampton described his death as a tragedy.
Brenda, 65, said: “It’s horrible that he dropped dead in the street. Forty-five is not an old age, how could this have happened?”
Shirley added: “People drink on holiday, but they don’t expect it.”
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs did not comment when contacted by MailOnline.
Early media reports had incorrectly described Mr Grant as a 49-year-old Briton, before it was later confirmed he was travelling on an Irish passport.
A spokesman for Calvia Town Hall, the local authority responsible for Magaluf, had previously reported: “A 45-year-old British tourist died in the street this morning in the Magaluf area. The incident occurred at around 4.30am. The deceased was staying in a hotel in the area.”
He added: ‘An employee of a local establishment alerted the police, saying that a man was unwell and was stumbling in the street.
The group was staying at the Sol Katmandu Park and Resort (pictured), which is popular with families with young children.
‘The local police arrived and performed CPR, but were unable to revive him. The Civil Guard has taken over the investigation to determine the cause of death.’
A source from the Civil Guard said: “This death does not appear to be linked to any crime, but the autopsy will be key to determining what happens next.”
An autopsy is reported to be performed today.
It is hoped that CCTV cameras will be able to shed light on the incident.