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The family of a tourist who suddenly died on an Eriskay beach has praised the local community for their help in trying to get his body home for a burial.

 

James Smith from Chester in northwest England got into trouble at the picturesque spot in the north east of the island on Tuesday afternoon.

 

He was pulled from the water and given CPR for about 90 minutes but never regained consciousness.

 

Now the Eriskay community has launched a fund raising campaign to get his body home to Chester and help with funeral costs.

 

James, 37, could not get life insurance because he suffered from multiple sclerosis (MS) - an illness the former shop worker had since his early twenties.

 

So far, a third of the £10,000 target has been reached.

 

James and his partner, Gina, children Jack, 13, and six-year-old Ruby were enjoying the start of a two week break.

 

Grandparents, Jayne and Andrew - Gina’s mum and dad - booked a holiday cottage on the island, but tragedy struck after three days.

 

Heartbroken Gina - who has been his carer for years - said: “James meant everything to me.

 

“He was my best friend and a fantastic father to the kids.”

 

Catriona Mackinnon From Eriskay has set up an online GoFundMe page.

 

She said: “While enjoying a family holiday James Smith tragically passed away August 20th in Bun A Mhullin, Eriskay, while playing with his children in the sea.

 

“He was an amazing partner and great friend to Gina.

 

“Their wonderful children Jack, 13 and Ruby, 6 always made him proud.  

 

“Gina and James were together for 15 years and despite suffering with MS, he always put his family first.  

 

“He loved football and was a lifelong Everton supporter.  He was a wonderful family man that was loved by all.”

 

Gina’s mother, Jayne Cartledge, said the family choose to go spend the day at a small secluded sandy bay beside their holiday cottage on the north east coast of the island because it was “shallow and sheltered, without any waves.”

 

An inflatable they had drifted a short distance from the beach.

 

“James went after it. He is six foot four tall and the water was only up to his waist.”

 

He got into difficulties and they pulled him out of the water

 

There was no mobile signal in the small bay, so Gina raced over the rough ground to the road.

 

She got a lift from passing visitors to a nearby house where she dialled 999 for the emergency services.

 

One of the occupants in the vehicle was a nurse who ran down to the beach and attempted to resuscitate him.

 

An ambulance and doctor arrived as well as three coastguard teams. A coastguard helicopter was tasked from Stornoway but was stood down.

 

Jayne said the local community has been “amazing” and helping them as they stay on Eriskay until a postmortem is conducted and formalities concluded.

 

She added: “We want to thank everyone on this island.”

 

Even though locals don’t know the family, “people are turning up with shopping and food.

 

“One woman gave us a card containing cash.”

 

“Everybody here seems to have been affected by the tragedy.”

 

The fundraising page is online at www.GoFundMe.com

 

Island community rallies round after tragic beach death

23 August 2019

James Smith died while on holiday