A BRITISH holidaymaker has died after being restrained by six security guards during a brawl at a luxury hotel in Mexico.
Dean Wright, 33, is understood to have collapsed during the fracas at five-star Riu Hotel in Cancun.
Fellow holidaymakers said that Dean was embroiled in an early-morning row with a group of Americans while visiting a 24-hour sports bar at the beachfront hotel, near Playa del Carmen.
Fitness fanatic Dean – 6ft5ins tall and well-built – stopped breathing after a group of Mexican security guards intervened and struggled to restrain him in a toilet.
His partner Becky Platts, a senior account manager with Northern Gas and Power in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was said to be “distraught” last night.
A fellow holidaymaker said: “I’d met Dean and Becky a few days earlier, and spent time with them so it was a huge shock to hear what happened.
“Dean got into an argument with a group of Americans at the Riu, which is all-inclusive and has a 24-hour sports bar.
“I’m not sure what the row was about.
“But it turned into a fight and something happened to Dean after around six security guards stepped in.
“He’s a big man and must have been a handful, but it’s not clear how he died and I’m sure his family will want to know.
“I can only hope a full police investigation is under way and will get to the bottom of it.
“I’ve sent my condolences to Becky but she must be very distressed.”
Friends rallied round his partner on Facebook yesterday after last Friday’s tragedy.
Michelle McNicholas said: “Stay strong lovely thinking of you xxx”.
Lorna Smith posted: “You are doing so well Becky, through all of this you haven’t folded, I think you are totally amazing. Keep strong and safe.”
Jayne Thongthae added: “We are with you in spirit Becky – stay safe.”
A spokesman for Riu’s parent company TUI said: “We are aware of the tragic incident at the Riu Cancun, Mexico, and our thoughts are with the family.
“Our team in resort is currently supporting the family and we will continue to assist in whatever way we can.
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and staff is our primary concern and our dedicated resort team is working with the authorities and hoteliers.
“As the matter is currently still under investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Cancun and are in contact with Mexican authorities.”
Several months ago a Brit family spoke of their holiday from hell after claiming they were offered drugs “every ten minutes” while staying in Mexico.
They’d paid thousands of pounds for accommodation at Riu Cancun, but “had to stop spending time at the private beach for hotel guests due to the constant offers of cannabis or Charlie every 10 minutes of the day.”