A HOLIDAYMAKER died on Christmas Day after collapsing in a Spanish hotel, an inquest heard.

George Douglas Smith, from Darlington, was staying at Caleta Garden Hotel in Fuerteventura with his fiancée when he became unwell on December 25 last year.

An inquest in Crook heard the couple had been on their way to a gala dinner, at about 6pm, when Mr Smith, 55, said he needed to sit down. He then collapsed and sadly died, despite a doctor from a nearby clinic administering CPR for 40 minutes.

A post-mortem confirmed Mr Smith died from cardiac ischemia. This is when an artery becomes narrowed or blocked for a short time, preventing oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart.

The inquest heard Mr Smith’s family had concerns over how the hotel responded to the incident, questioning staff’s ability to use the defibrillator. They also said they waited eight hours for police to collect the body.

Coroner’s officer Charlotte Peacock read out a statement from the hotel’s manager who said he was on the scene within minutes. He also said there was always a member of staff on duty trained to use the defibrillator.

Coroner Oliver Longstaff concluded Mr Smith died of natural causes.