A British pilot who drowned when he went for a late-night swim off a Benidorm beach has been named for the first time.
Tributes have poured in for Robbie Conington, 30, who died after getting into difficulties when he took an evening dip in the sea with two friends late last Friday.
He was described as a ‘spark that ignited every room he entered’ by his bosses, while another pal called him an ‘incredible aviator, great friend and all-round great guy.’
The tragedy first emerged over weekend when Spanish police confirmed a British tourist’s body had been recovered after he went into the sea with two friends whom returned to Benidorm’s Levante Beach unharmed.
The alarm was raised at around 8.30pm on Friday by witnesses who said they had seen one of the three men being carried out in the choppy waters.
Coastguards were called in to search for the missing man before his body was found later the same night near Benidorm’s Sailing Club.
Robbie, from Biggin Hill, Kent, said in an online profile he had clocked up more than 1,300 total flying time but also worked in aircraft sales.
The adventure-loving Brit posted footage of himself on social media last November showing him parachuting out of a plane alongside the message: ‘Jumping into my thirties head first.’
Tributes have poured in for Robbie Conington (pictured), 30, who died while holidaying in the popular tourist resort
The tragedy first emerged at the weekend when Spanish police confirmed a British tourist’s body had been recovered. Pictured: Police attend the accident scene last night as a crowd gathers
Lone Mountain Aircraft, a US-based company he was working at when he died, said in a social media tribute: ‘Lone Mountain Aircraft is profoundly saddened to share the news of the loss of a dear member of our sales team, gone far too soon.
‘Robbie Conington, age 30 years old, was tragically taken from us in a non-aviation related accident while on vacation in Spain last Friday.
‘Your prayers and thoughts toward Robbie’s surviving family and friends are greatly appreciated. He was a spark that ignited every room he entered and will be sorely missed by his Lone Mountain family.’
In another tribute a colleague added: ‘Robbie brought light, energy and passion to everything he did.
‘His presence was truly magnetic. He had a remarkable ability to uplift and inspire those around him, both personally and professionally.
‘He was not only a dedicated team member but also a dear friend to many.’
Fareham, Hampshire-based aircraft maintenance company Vertigo Aviation Detailing said in a statement: ‘Incredibly tough weekend mourning the loss of our good friend Robbie Conington. An incredible aviator, great friend and all-round great guy. Blue skies, Robbie — you’re already so deeply missed.’
Appearing to indicate his body would be repatriated today, friend Nina Susini said in an online message late yesterday: ‘Keep your eyes skywards tomorrow, Wednesday September 3, 5pm to 6pm.
Members of the public are pictured at the scene after police worked to recover the body
‘We are bringing Robbie home. Flying into his airport Biggin Hill, escorted by two spitfires weather permitting.’
Biggin Hill-based flight school Echelon Air said in an emotional online tribute: ‘In shock and with deep sadness we write announcing the passing of our dear friend and aviation colleague, Robbie Conington.
‘He passed away Friday evening, going for a sunset swim while on holiday with friends in Spain.
‘His positive energy, quick wit and warm heart touched us all in simple and profound ways. His DNA is in everything we do at Echelon Air. He will be sorely missed by so many. Our heart aches for his family and community. Please keep them in your prayers and thoughts.’
A friend responded by saying: ‘Robbie was a true inspiration and talented pilot.
‘Heartbreaking news..wishing his family thoughts and prayers.’
Another, Lauren Miller-Hickmott, wrote. ‘So shocked by the news.
‘He honestly lit up every room with his contagious smile. The most loveliest soul.’
A fellow pilot said: ‘Utterly shocked by this. Robbie was a true gentleman and an outstanding aviator. RIP Robbie.’
Spain’s National Police said on Saturday in their first comments about the tragedy, giving his age as 31 but not naming him: ‘A British man aged 31 died in Benidorm last night in a suspected drowning.
An investigation is underway but there is nothing pointing to this death being suspicious in any way.’
Another well-placed insider said: ‘We believe this man was a tourist.
‘He was with two friends. They got out of the water okay and he remained in the sea and got further and further away from the coastline.’
A Benidorm town hall source said: ‘It appears this man went into the sea and couldn’t get out.
‘The lifeguard service had finished for the day by the time this happened.’
Footage from the scene of the tragedy showed a group of locals and holidaymakers crowding around police who had responded to the emergency. Waves were crashing down on the shoreline, indicating the sea conditions were not the best.
In April a British man’s body was found washed up on a beach in Benidorm.
He was later named as Jeff Duffield as relatives paid tribute to him.
His wife had previously posted an appeal to find him, saying: ‘My husband Jeff Duffield has been missing in Benidorm since 12.30 23/04/2025.
‘I’ve reported it to police if anyone sees him. Please could you contact me, I’m worried sick. Thank you.’
In March British groom-to-be Oliver Holroyd, 29, a dad-of-one from Halifax, West Yorkshire, collapsed and died in front of his father and friends in a bar in Benidorm while he was celebrating his stag do.
Bystanders and paramedics worked for over an hour to revive him but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the resort’s Funky Flamingo bar.
In May father-of-three Joseph McManus collapsed and died hours after arriving in Benidorm.
A pal told the Liverpool Echo after news of the tragedy emerged that he had only decided to go on the trip at the last minute after other pals had dropped out.
Lee Beck, 42, said Joseph was a ‘big cuddly bear’.
He added: ‘Joseph was a happy-go-lucky guy. He was kind and caring. He was always stopping people in the street and asking them how they were.’
