Lee Jowitt, a 41-year-old Londoner, has died after falling down a three-storey stairwell at a hostel in north-east Spain, according to local reports. The incident occurred in Tarragona, Catalonia, on Sunday, October 11, shortly after midnight.
Fatal fall at Tarragona hostel
Jowitt was staying at the hostel on Carrer Unió over the weekend with a British friend when the fall happened. Local newspaper Diari de Tarragona reported that he fell from a height equivalent to three storeys while climbing the stairs. The paper did not name the victim, but his family later identified him.
His fall is believed to have been accidental. Catalonia's police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, has launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
Emergency response and tributes
According to local reports, hostel staff immediately called emergency services following the fall. A doctor who was also staying at the hostel was among the first to come to Jowitt's aid. Emergency medical workers tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Paying tribute on Facebook, his sister Shivaun Jowitt described him as "one-of-a-kind" and "truly special". She wrote: "This is going to be the hardest post Im probably ever going to do but my darling brother Lee has sadly passed away in Spain from a fall."
She added: "I don't know how I will ever process this. He was only 41, why is this world so cruel. I'm so done... I love you so so much and our special memories will live with me forever."
Fundraiser to bring body home
Friends have established an online fundraiser to help bring Jowitt's body back to London and "give him the send-off he deserves". Richard Spiteri, who organised the fundraiser, described Jowitt as a "much-loved friend, colleague and brother", adding his death had left many people "heartbroken".
At the time of writing, the appeal had raised more than £8,300. The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
