A couple found dead after a freak hot tub accident at their Spanish holiday villa in Valencia could have died due to a rare suction entrapment, Spanish media reports. Patrick Tobin, 51, of New Zealand, and his Irish wife, Thomasina Tobin, 48, died in Cullera at the Cap Blanc residential development.
Children discovered the couple
They died on Tuesday and were then discovered by their two teenage children at around 5pm local time. They then notified emergency services.
An investigation into the couple's deaths is ongoing, but investigators believe the hot tub's water circulation system may have sparked an unusual accident involving the suction system - known as a suction entrapment. This usually involves a pool or hot tub sucking in a part of a person's body, causing them to drown.
Police rule out drowning
However, Spanish police ruled out drowning as a cause of death, saying they suffered a "cardiopulmonary incident due to acute stress."
Post-mortem checks found scratch marks on both of their bodies. They were reportedly more pronounced on Mr Tobin's body.
The full results of the post-mortem will not be made public due to standard processes in Spain.
Tributes from employer
Mr Tobin worked for HCLTECH. A spokesperson for the company said: "Our thoughts are with their family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Out of respect to the family's privacy, we are not in a position to comment or share any details at this point of time."
