Monday 8 September 2014

Ibiza Rocks death: New video shows ex-rugby league player after his hotel ...





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New video footage has emerged showing a tragic ex-rugby league player in the minutes before his death on the party island of Ibiza.


Luke Rhoden was pronounced dead shortly after he was pinned to the ground by Spanish police after plunging from a hotel balcony.


Some witnesses have claimed that officers beat the 25-year-old with batons and even stamped on his head but police say nothing untoward happened.


Now Mirror Online has been handed this video of Luke after his balcony fall and before police arrived – where he appears incoherent and rambling


The clip was published on Snapchat by a hotel guest who spotted the ex-Wigan Warriors prop forward staggering through the lobby of the Ibiza Rocks hotel.


In the video, with the caption ‘Welcome to Ibiza’, it appears Luke has suffered a serious ankle injury as he hobbles to his feet while a security guard looks on.


Luke Rhoden, former Wigan Warriors player dies after plunging from hotel balcony in Ibiza
Luke Rhoden, former Wigan Warriors player dies after plunging from hotel balcony in Ibiza


Witness Lucy Morrison, a 19-year-old journalism student from Glasgow, had just arrived at the 368-room hotel when she heard the commotion.


“We were sat in the bar,” she said. “He was screaming and obviously terrified. He kept shouting ‘They are trying to kill me I don’t want to die’.


“He ran through the bar and into the street security were behind him but he was a big guy and they didn’t look like they wanted to tangle with him.


“He was following us in the street and we were panicking a bit. Then the police arrived.”


Luke Rhoden appears to be staggering through the hotel


Other eye-witnesses have said Luke appeared to be sweating heavily and saying people were after him with knives as he staggered through the lobby wearing just underpants, his T-shirt and no shoes.


Video taken later in the evening shows the former rugby player on the ground being forcibly restrained by three officers armed with batons.


The footage – shot by concerned onlookers from a balcony in the resort – shows the sportsman struggling on the ground.


The officers appear to be trying to subdue Luke before restraining his legs.


The video, which was released by a witness but later withdrawn, cuts out after just 30 seconds.


SWNS
A British holidaymaker has reportedly been beaten to death by Spanish police after he leaped from the balcony of the popular Ibiza Rocks hotel
Luke was on a stag do and was due to act as best man at an upcoming wedding


Later horrified tourists claim more officers arrived and beat Luke with batons.


Police said Luke suffered cuts while being restrained and that he died of cardiac arrest in a parked ambulance – and deny anything untoward happened.


Luke was on a stag do and was due to act as best man at an upcoming wedding.


Tomorrow Luke’s father Norman Rhoden, 44, will fly to Ibiza.


He said: “I just want to say to all the response and support for my son Luke Rhoden has been immeasurable.


“I fly out on Tuesday to see my son’s body… The pain I feel can’t be described but I will fight them with everyone’s support. Please keep up the good work! Love you all!”


PA
Ibiza Rocks Hotel
Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio


Supporters have also set up an e-petition that is due to be active within 7 days demanding a public inquiry into Luke’s death.


They are also staging fund-raisers to get cash to pay for the return of his body to the UK from Spain.


CCTV footage from the hotel has been seized by police.


It is believed other footage shot by British holidaymakers has been handed to the British consulate and those supporting Luke and his family are asking for any other witnesses to come forward.


Mr Rhoden added: “Luke was a cracking lad. He was always polite and well-mannered but he was a lad’s lad too who liked to train and keep fit.


“He had played rugby all his life but, after suffering a knee injury, tried his hand at boxing.


“He was more like my mate – we could sit and talk rubbish together for hours on end.


“What has happened to him is beyond belief because of the person he was. He was a high-achiever – he was no layabout or slouch.


“He had a good job – he was an executive with De Poel Consulting Ltd, a recruitment consultancy – and was ambitious too.


“He was flying and was very good at his job. He had everything to live for.”





 


A Guardia Civil spokesperson said: “Our officers restrained him and put him in an ambulance, but he died before it left the area of the hotel.


“The autopsy will establish the cause of death and whether drink and drugs were involved.”


A spokeswoman for Ibiza Rocks confirmed there had been a death and a “balcony incident” but she denied police had been involved in his death.



Ibiza Rocks death: New video shows ex-rugby league player after his hotel ...

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