Mum's heartbreak as son suddenly dies of heart attack on family holiday on Canary Islands

Lesley Duck, from Bathgate, West Lothian, has spoken of the "total turmoil" she and her family face following the tragic death of her son David Duck in Fuerteventura

A grief-stricken mother has told of her sorrow after her son died of a heart attack while they were on holiday on the Canary Islands.

David Duck, 43, suffered chest pains and shortness of breath when he and mum Lesley in Caybeach Caleta on the west of Fuerteventura.

Lesley, 64, is now unsure "what happens next" due to the communication barrier, as David's body was taken away in ambulance on Sunday. The mum, from Bathgate, West Lothian, often went on holidays with her son following his terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis but this time, David had a severe medical episode.

David, who also had sclerosis of the liver, did not take out travel insurance, and so Lesley is now struggling with the financial side of losing her son. She plans to return to Scotland on Tuesday after figuring out what to do, reports Edinburgh Live.

"It's been total turmoil, but I'm doing better now. David died of a heart attack. He had pancreatic cancer, and sclerosis of the liver," devastated Lesley told our sister publication.

"He lived hard, and played harder. He was only 43 years old. He didn't have insurance, which is the problem. He knew he was dying, so didn't care. He just died sooner than expected."

David's ashes are expected to be handed over on Monday, with Lesley feeling she's had "no support". The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was supporting the family.

Lesley continued: "I'm meeting a woman today who is going to help, she lives on the island and speaks fluent Spanish. She's going to come with me and explain things and translate for me.

"It's the financial expenses that have thrown me. It's all going to land on me. He's getting cremated today (Friday) which is going to cost me £2,600. I told them I couldn't afford that. The company went away and came back, and said if I could give them an £800 deposit they'd make a payment plan for when I get home.

"So that seems to be what's happening. I don't even know if I get a death certificate or anything, it's all been so confusing. I will get his ashes on Monday, other than that I've had no support."

A FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Fuerteventura and are in contact with the local authorities.”