07 August 2023 , 09:18
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Tributes have been paid to an "absolutely extraordinary and hilarious" British man who ‘drowned’ at a popular Ibiza cove.
Friends and well-wishers are now organising a fundraising campaign online to help repatriate Martin Smith’s body following the tragedy last Friday. The fun-loving 32-year-old, who was due to celebrate his 33rd birthday next Tuesday, was pronounced dead at the upmarket cove of Cala Jandal - where Kate and William once enjoyed a romantic break - after his body was spotted floating in the water.
Well-placed sources said today he had jumped from a boat into the sea. He is believed to have drowned although the initial autopsy results have not yet been made public. Well-travelled Martin, who was better known to friends as Percy or Storm, had spent time living in Vietnam as well as doing summer work in Ibiza.
Martin Smith sadly died while holidaying in Ibiza (SOLARPIX.COM) Esmae Palmer, the organiser of a GoFundMe appeal which has already exceeded its £5,000 target, said: "On the 4th August, 10 days before Percy’s 33rd birthday, the same ocean he loved and spent the last decade of summers in, took his spirit and soul. Percy was loved by so many of us all over the world: forming huge families in Ibiza, England and Vietnam."
It continued: "We all have the fondest memories of Percy/Martin/Storm and his spirit will definitely live on through all of us forever. We need to return his beautiful body back to England to be with his family. Causing us trouble ( in true Martin spirit) he didn’t have any form of insurance to cover anything. His family are left with a huge bill to return his body to England in order to have the send-off he deserves. We truly appreciate any donation to help return Percy to rest."
Sweden-based pal Marcos Santiago Gomar wrote in a Facebook tribute: "I can’t believe it. We just spoke three days ago. One of my best colleagues from the season time in Ibiza. One of a kind cracking jokes non-stop. Absolutely extraordinary and hilarious. My sincere condolences are with his family in these difficult moments."
Shocked Natasha Baker said: "RIP Percy Smith. I can’t believe this. You were the life and soul of the party. So funny and such a great guy. You will be sadly missed." Digital marketing specialist Emma Rae, from Chester in Cheshire, added: "Percy Smith, I cannot believe you are gone. The most kind-hearted, hilarious human being. Some of my fondest memories in Ibiza are with you and I shall cherish them forever."
Emergency services were alerted around 3.15pm last Friday and he was hauled into a boat after being spotted where attempts to revive him failed. The attempts to revive him before he was pronounced dead are said to have lasted around 40 minutes. The popular cove is also home to famous beach restaurants like Blue Marlin.