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Holidaymaker killed in Turkey lift-shaft incident

Alex Price Tyler Kerry, who has brown hair swept across his head and is pouting. A woman with blonde hair has her arm around him and is doing a peace sign with her fingers while sticking her tongue out.Alex Price
Tyler Kerry died on a family holiday in Turkey, his uncle Alex Price said

A 20-year-old British man has died after being found fatally injured in a lift shaft while on a family holiday in Turkey.

Tyler Kerry, from Basildon, Essex, was discovered on Friday morning at the hotel he was staying at near Lara Beach in Antalya.

The holidaymaker was described by his family as "a young man full of personality, kindness and compassion with his whole life ahead of him".

Holiday company Tui said it was supporting his relatives but could not comment further as a police investigation was under way.

A UK government spokeswoman said: "We are assisting the family of a British man who has died in Turkey."

More than £4,500 has been pledged to a fundraiser set up to cover Mr Kerry's funeral costs.

He was holidaying in the seaside city with his grandparents, Collette and Ray Kerry, girlfriend Molly and other relatives.

'Completely devastated'

Mr Kerry's great uncle, Alex Price, said he was found at the bottom of the lift shaft at 07:00 local time (04:00 GMT).

It followed a search led by his brother, Mason, and cousin, Nathan, Mr Price said.

Mr Kerry had been staying on the hotel's first floor.

Getty Images A picture taken from high up of a beach in Antalya, Turkey. To the left is the blue water, in the middle is the sand covered with people and umbrellas and to the right are high-rise buildings and trees.Getty Images
Mr Kerry was holidaying in the seaside city of Antalya

"An ambulance team attended and attempted to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful," Mr Price told the BBC.

"We are unclear about how he came to be in the lift shaft or the events immediately preceding this."

Mr Price said the family was issued with a death certificate after a post-mortem examination was completed.

They hoped his body would be repatriated by Tuesday.

Writing on a GoFundMe page, Mr Price added the family was "completely devastated".

He thanked people for their "kindness and consideration" following his nephew's death.

Holiday company Tui expressed its "sincere condolences" to Tyler Kerry's family.

"We will continue to provide around-the-clock support to Tyler’s family during this difficult time," a spokeswoman said.

"As there is now a police investigation we are unable to comment further."

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