Hotel worker dies after pool ‘stunt’ goes wrong at luxury resort

A HOTEL worker has died after a suspected breathing stunt in the resort’s pool went wrong.

Emergency crews raced to the popular Portavadie Spa, near Tighnabruaich, in Argyll, on lunchtime on Friday.

Horrified swimmers spotted the man floating in the water of the pool after he tried to hold his breath for an extended time.

It is believed that the Spaniard, 31, regularly practised the technique – which it is claimed boosts health and wellbeing.

The man was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow where medics described his condition as critical.

But officers have confirmed this afternoon that the man has tragically died.

He passed away in hospital yesterday.

Police have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Cops sealed off the pool after they launched an investigation into the incident.

A source said of the horror at the luxury Portavadie Spa near Tighnabruaich, Argyll: “It’s a terrible tragedy and has shocked everyone at the hotel and anyone who saw it.

“Everyone is hoping and praying for the best.”

The award-winning resort on Loch Fyne was packed with visitors enjoying the school holidays. It has an adjacent marina as well as indoor and outdoor infinity pools.

An insider said: “Apparently, this waiter would hold his breath for an extended time underwater, but something’s gone tragically wrong.

“He was eventually seen floating face down in the pool.

“He was hauled out and an air ambulance was dispatched. He’s still hanging on in hospital.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 1.30 pm on Thursday, 29 June 2023, police were called to a resort in Portavadie after a report that a 31-year-old man had taken unwell within.

“He was taken by air ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he died on Saturday, 1 July, 2023.

“There are no apparent suspicious circumstances.

“A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

At the time, a Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We received a call at 1.28pm on June 29 to attend an incident at Portavadie, Tighnabruaich.

“We dispatched two ambulances and the Helimed to the scene, and a patient was transported to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.”

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