A dream family holiday turned into unimaginable tragedy when a 19-year-old British student was crushed to death in a hotel lift accident in Spain.
Ben Crouch, a promising business student from Surrey, became trapped in the malfunctioning elevator while staying at the four-star Sol Costa del Taurito hotel in Gran Canaria with his family.
Father's Desperate Rescue Attempt
In heartbreaking scenes, Ben's father Andrew fought desperately to free his son from the crushing mechanism as the lift suddenly moved between floors. Despite his frantic efforts and the assistance of other hotel guests, they were unable to save the teenager.
"He was just the most wonderful, caring, loving son and brother anyone could wish for," the devastated family said in an emotional tribute.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency services rushed to the scene following the incident on Tuesday afternoon, but despite their efforts, Ben was pronounced dead at the hotel.
Spanish authorities have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident, with forensic teams and police examining the lift mechanism to determine what caused the fatal malfunction.
A Life Full of Promise
Ben, who was studying business at the University of Exeter, was described by his family as having "a heart of gold" and being "the best big brother to his sister."
The University of Exeter confirmed they were providing support to students and staff affected by the news, describing the incident as "deeply distressing."
This tragic incident has raised serious questions about hotel safety standards and lift maintenance procedures in holiday resorts, as the travel industry faces scrutiny over equipment safety.
