The brother of a British tourist who died in Ibiza over the weekend has insisted he never took drugs.
The comments came after reports cited narcotics as being behind the death of the 36-year-old.
The holidaymaker passed away on Friday morning after being admitted to Can Misses Hospital.
It has since emerged that he was suffering from malignant hyperthermia, according to his death certificate.
Healthcare sources had initially blamed the death on drug use.
According to Diario de Ibiza, his brother said: ‘He didn’t use any drugs, he only drank alcohol.’
The Brit had arrived to a health centre via an Uber with his brother and was in a serious condition.
They had left a popular nightclub after he began suffering from excessive heat, profuse sweating and general malaise.
Staff decided to transfer him to Can Misses Hospital, and he was immediately transported by the SAMU 061 emergency service.
Tragically, the Brit suffered a cardiac arrest in the ambulance en route.
Despite the efforts of the medical staff, his death was certified in the emergency room at 4:55 a.m.
What is malignant hyperthermia?
A rare but life-threatening reaction to certain drugs used during general anesthesia, especially volatile anesthetic gases (like sevoflurane) and succinylcholine (a muscle relaxant).
Causes:
- It’s a genetic disorder, often inherited.
- Triggered by certain anaesthetics in susceptible individuals.
- Involves a mutation in the RYR1 gene or CACNA1S gene, affecting calcium regulation in muscle cells.
Symptoms:
- Rapid rise in body temperature (hyperthermia)
- Severe muscle rigidity or spasms
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Dark brown urine (due to muscle breakdown)
- Acidosis and elevated potassium (can cause cardiac arrest)
