Tragedy Strikes Ibiza: Death of Aberdonian Tourist Sparks Outrage
The party mood in Ibiza took a dark turn on July 7, 2025, when Evan Thomson, just 26 and known for his easygoing charm in Aberdeen, fell from the sixth-floor balcony of the Ibiza Rocks Hotel. Evan was celebrating his birthday, a trip meant to be full of laughter and reunion with friends. But by morning, plans and lives had splintered.
Witnesses say the accident unfolded in seconds. Evan’s friends and hotel staff rushed to help, but they could only offer comfort in his final moments. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene. News of his passing spread fast, sending shockwaves back to Scotland and across social media where his mother, Lel Kellighan, described her heartbreak. She called her family “absolutely broken,” echoing a grief that’s hard to process, whether in Spanish sunshine or Scottish rain.
Spotlight on Hotel Safety and Family's Fight for Answers
It didn’t take long for questions to pile up. Evan’s sister, Teila, and close friends pointed to what they see as glaring safety gaps at Ibiza Rocks Hotel. The height of the balcony walls was called into question, along with the absence of fall detection alarms or warning systems that might have made a difference. Hotel guests recall how, within 90 minutes, staff had resumed normal operations—pool music and all—leaving friends and family bewildered by the apparent lack of respect or urgency.
One of Evan’s mates, Blair Robertson, described a bittersweet reunion upon arriving in Ibiza—one that would prove to be their last. The emotional aftermath has been compounded by concerns that no English-speaking medical staff were available in the wake of the fall, causing more confusion and distress. Meanwhile, Evan’s family began the agonizing process of seeking answers, collaborating with both UK government officials and Spanish authorities. They’re determined not to let this tragedy slide into memory without accountability. Right now, funeral arrangements are still being made as relatives focus on understanding exactly what happened.
Calls for better safety standards in Ibiza’s notorious party hotels are getting louder. From balcony heights to emergency response, families like Evan’s don’t want anyone else experiencing their pain. As Teila puts it, 'I pray no other family has to go through this,' summing up a sentiment that echoes all the way from Aberdeen to the Balearic Islands.