Tributes have been paid to a young British ice hockey player with an ‘infectious love of life’ after he tragically plunged to his death from a balcony at Ibiza Rocks Hotel.
Gary Kelly, 19, fell from the third floor of the hotel just after midnight on Monday, July 21, in the party resort of San Antonio, where another Scottish holidaymaker also lost his life just a fortnight ago.
Two ambulances were sent to the scene of the four-star hotel at around 12.40am, but paramedics were unable to revive him.
Now, tributes have poured in for the ‘talented and charismatic’ teen from Dundee, who was also a keen ice hockey player.
Mr Kelly’s ice hockey team Dundee Stars issued a heartbreaking tribute this afternoon, stating they were ‘truly devastated’ to learn of his passing.
The statement added: ‘We send our thoughts and condolences to Gary’s family, partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time.
‘Everyone at the club including players, staff, management, and ownership are heartbroken to hear this tragic news.
‘Gary was a hugely talented and charismatic individual who had a great future ahead of him.
Gary Kelly (pictured), 19 fell from the third floor of Ibiza Rocks Hotel just after midnight on Monday, July 21, in the party resort of San Antonio, where another Scottish holidaymaker also lost his life just a fortnight ago
Tributes have poured in for the ‘talented and charismatic’ individual (pictured) from Dundee, who was also a keen ice hockey player. Mr Kelly’s team, Dundee Stars, who he played for last season, issued a heartbreaking tribute, stating they were ‘truly devastated’ to learn of his passing
Two ambulances were sent to the scene of the four-star hotel (pictured) at around 12.40am, but paramedics were sadly unable to revive him
‘His loss will impact many in the ice hockey community and beyond. He will be sadly missed. We respect and support the family’s request for privacy at this extremely difficult time.’
Meanwhile, ice hockey team Aberdeen Lynx, whom Mr Kelly played for in previous years, also remembered the Scot for being one of their ‘brightest stars’.
Admitting they had all been left ‘heartbroken’ by the sudden news, they said: ‘The Lynx family is heartbroken to share the devastating news of the sudden passing of one of our brightest young stars, Gary Kelly, while on holiday.
‘Gary was more than just a talented hockey player — he was a young man full of heart, passion, and dedication. On the ice, he gave everything he had. Off the ice, he brought energy, kindness, and an infectious love of life that lifted everyone around him.
‘He wore his heart on his sleeve, and that spirit left a lasting mark on our team, our club, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.’
The team, who described Gary’s potential as ‘limitless’ and said he was ‘simply a brilliant person to be around’, also offered their ‘deepest condolences’ to Gary’s family and friends during an ‘unimaginably difficult time’.
They continued: ‘He was part of our family, and his absence leaves a hole that cannot be filled.
‘Rest easy, Gary — you will always be one of our brightest stars.’
Local police said that the British teenager was ‘already dead by the time help arrived’, adding that initial investigations suggested the fall had been accidental. Pictured: file image of the famous Ibiza Rocks Hotel where the incident took place
Earlier today, local police said that Mr Kelly was sadly ‘already dead by the time help arrived’, adding that initial investigations suggested the fall had been accidental.
It is currently unclear whether he was holidaying with friends or family and whether he fell from his room or another part of the hotel.
A spokesperson for the local police said this morning: ‘We are investigating the death of a 19-year-old British man at a hotel in San Antonio in Ibiza. The alarm was raised around 12.40am this morning.
‘Our officers were sent to the scene but the man in question was already dead by the time help arrived.
‘The fall was from from the third floor of the hotel to an outside part of the complex. Court officials authorised the removal of his body at 2.40am this morning.
‘The fall could be accidental based on the early information obtained from cameras but as part of the investigation possible witnesses will need to be located and interviewed.
‘The results of the post-mortem will also be important to the investigation.’
It is currently unclear whether Mr Kelly was holidaying with friends or family and whether he fell from his room or another part of the hotel. (Pictured: Ibiza Rocks Hotel)
An FCDO spokesperson said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.’
Ibiza Rocks confirmed this afternoon that all of their events have been suspended following Mr Kelly’s tragic death, adding they had been left ‘deeply shocked and devastated’ by the tragedy.
The statement added: ‘Our priority is to support those affected and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and to fully assist the authorities with their investigations.
‘The safety and wellbeing of our guests has, and always will remain, our highest priority. Given the seriousness of the situation and out of respect for those involved, we believe it is right to pause our advertised events programme at this time.
‘All customers will be informed directly via email.’
A number of tributes also poured in from other UK ice hockey teams as the news of the hockey player’s death spread over social media.
A statement on X from Glasgow Clan said: ‘The Glasgow Clan would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gary Kelly.
‘This is truly heartbreaking news. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic incident during this incredibly difficult time.’
It comes after a Scottish tourist plunged to his death while staying at Ibiza Rocks Hotel on July 7. Evan Thomson (pictured), 26, from Aberdeen, was celebrating his birthday with friends when he tragically lost his life at the famous party hotel on July 7
Another from the Whitley Warriors, for whom he played for briefly, said: ‘Whitley Warriors are devastated to learn of the tragic passing of former Warrior Gary Kelly, aged just 19.
‘Gary iced for Warriors on only a few occasions in the 2023-24 season but was a popular player in the dressing room despite the shortness of his time at Whitley.’
One from the Sheffield Steelers said: ‘The Sheffield Steelers are devastated to learn of the passing of Gary Kelly.
‘We send our thoughts and condolences to all that knew him during this difficult time.’
The tragedy comes just days after another Scottish tourist plunged to his death while also staying at the famous party hotel on July 7.
Evan Thomson, 26, from Aberdeen, was celebrating his birthday with friends when he tragically lost his life at Ibiza Rocks Hotel.
Paramedics rushed to the site of the incident on the hotel grounds but pronounced him dead at the scene.
Confirming his death, the Nuestra Senora del Rosario Polyclinic said last Monday: ‘Regrettably and despite all the efforts of medical personnel, the patient who fell yesterday in San Antonio has died due to the severity of his injuries.’
Following Evan Thomson’s (pictured) death, the hotel said in a statement: ‘This is a truly tragic and extremely sad situation’
Posting about his tragic death on social media, Evan’s mother Lel Kellighan wrote: ‘I’m absolutely heartbroken to write and tell you all, earlier this week my son Evan was in a tragic accident whilst on holiday with his friends in Ibiza and sadly passed away.
‘We are all absolutely broken. Please allow us some time.’
Following Evans’ death, the hotel said in a statement: ‘This is a truly tragic and extremely sad situation.
‘Our senior management team onsite did everything possible to help the police with their investigation into events leading up to Evans’ death, and to provide constant support from our customer services managed to Evan’s friends.
‘That has included them having four-hour access to our senior manager for any help or questions and giving them permission to pass on her mobile number to Evan’s family should they wish to call us direct.
‘They were very appreciative of all the help and support at such a difficult time.
‘We are deeply saddened by Evan’s death and our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends at this truly difficult time.’
A 33-year-old female British tourist also died in her room at Ibiza Rocks Hotel on April 30, with local police and paramedics rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised around 6.30pm.
Emergency responders confirmed when they arrived the holidaymaker had gone into cardiac arrest and spent around 40 minutes practising CPR on her to try to revive her.
She was declared dead at the scene after efforts to save her life proved unsuccessful.
Civil Guard officers were preparing a full report on the tragedy today to hand over to a local court which has opened an investigation.
But well-placed sources said there was nothing at this stage pointing to the death being suspicious.
Ibiza Rocks responded by offering ‘its utmost support’ to the family of the British holidaymaker.
Meanwhile, on April 27, a 19-year-old Italian tourist of Turkish origin plunged to her death from the fourth-floor at the same hotel at around 9am.
She had flown to the island the previous day and gone out partying. She was said at the time to have tried to been trying to reach her room via a balcony from a shared area of the hotel after realising she didn’t have her key card when she lost her footing and fell.
In a statement regarding the deaths on April 27 and April 30, Ibiza Rocks Hotel said: ‘Following the tragic events that occurred this week due to causes beyond our control, IRG expresses its dismay and extends its utmost support to the families of the victims, thanking people for respect for their privacy in a situation of immeasurable pain.’
