Brit dies after being violently mugged in front of wife in Spanish holiday hotspot

The 88-year-old was enjoying a sunshine getaway in Tenerife when he and his 79-year-old wife were targeted by a robber outside the entrance to a block of flats on Wednesday evening

An elderly British tourist has died on a popular Spanish holiday island after suffering a heart attack during a violent robbery.

The 88-year-old was enjoying a break in Tenerife when he and his 79-year-old wife were targeted by a robber outside the entrance to a block of flats while in the area of Los Cristianos early on Wednesday evening (June 17).

The suspect allegedly attacked the pair in broad daylight, according to Canarian Weekly. The victim is believed to have been visiting the Spanish island to celebrate his birthday, according to other reports.

At some point during the alleged attack, the 88-year-old was knocked down to the ground. The victim reportedly fell backwards and struck his back and head against the floor.

The robber was allegedly making an attempt to steal his wife’s handbag and fled the scene following the fall. The man’s wife was also assaulted in the alleged attack, although her current condition has not been disclosed.

It is believed that the impact of the victim’s fall combined with the stress resulted in the man suffering a cardiac arrest.

Eyewitnesses reportedly called for an emergency response, with the Canary Islands Emergency Service arriving quickly along with a team of paramedics.

After receiving urgent treatment just minutes after the incident, paramedics performed CPR and restored the victim’s heartbeat at the scene. He was then rushed to a nearby hospital for further urgent care. However the unnamed 88-year-old passed away on Friday (June 19).

An investigation has been opened, with police working to hunt down and question the suspect.

According to Spanish media outlet Sur, commemorative flowers have been placed outside the block of flats where the alleged attack took place.

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