Brit died on Spanish holiday island after ‘bannister collapsed’ | UK | News

The investigation stated that a British holidaymaker fell 20 meters to his death when the wooden railing collapsed. Father-of-two Darren Silcox, 56, was one of two men who fell into the atrium stairwell of a block of flats in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, in the early hours of October 25.

Mr Silcox, of Cwmbran, Gwent, was standing with another Briton when it was reported that the protective railing on the stairwell balcony had “collapsed”. Gwent Coroner’s Court heard he was pronounced dead at 3.30am and paramedics confirmed he died from injuries sustained in the autumn. The court heard the other man was taken to hospital and treated for serious injuries.

Mr Silcox was on holiday with his family at the Galeon Playa Apartments in the Costa Teguise resort in Lanzarote.

The opening of the inquest heard Mr Silcox fell into the stairwell in the courtyard “after the wooden railing collapsed”. Mirror reports.

Gwent Coroner’s Court was told local civil wardens were conducting an inquest into his death.

Gwent’s district coroner, Rose Farmer, said she opened the inquest “due to death resulting from a fall”.

He said preliminary investigations showed Mr. Silcox died “due to traumatic brain injury resulting from a fall, skull fractures and skull lacerations.”

Mr Silcox was a tradesman and ran two shops in Cwmbran.

Locals who spoke to The Mirror shared their shock and sadness over his death.

Mr Silcox’s wife reportedly died last year after an illness.

according to BBCTorfaen borough councilor David Daniels described Mr Silcox as a “lovely guy”.

He said: “Darren and his wife [Kim] They were in the heart of the community and had operated stores for decades.

“Anyone who grew up in the area knew about these shops and we stopped by there every day after school. He was so kind to us and so generous.”

The inquest has been adjourned until a full hearing on 20 July 2026.