Shopkeeper Darren Silcox, from Cwmbran in South Wales, was one of two people who fell 20 feet in the early hours of October 25 – he sadly died from ‘traumatic brain injury’
A dad-of-two tragically died on holiday in the Canary Islands after plummeting 20 feet when a hotel balcony railing collapsed.
Darren Silcox, a well-regarded 56-year-old shopkeeper from Cwmbran in Wales, was one of two men who tumbled from the balcony in Lanzarote during the early hours of October 25 after the bannister rail allegedly snapped.
Mr Silcox had travelled to the Costa Tequise resort where he and a mate were on the balcony when the safety barrier reportedly gave way. He died from his injuries while the other man, aged 54, was rushed to hospital with serious wounds.
The heartbreaking news left customers at his two shops in Pontnewydd and Five Locks in disbelief.
One customer said: “This is terrible. It is a family store and everyone knows them – what a shocking way to go. He was always very hard working.”
While another added: “They have two sons who are now left without parents. It is tragic.”
Spain’s Civil Guard has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident which happened on October 25, reports Wales Online.
The focus of the police inquiry is whether shoddy maintenance or inadequate safety measures led to the fatal accident.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 1.30am after the two men fell. Medical teams who arrived at the scene confirmed that the man had died from his injuries sustained in the fall.
The surviving man received immediate medical care before being transferred to the intensive care unit at Doctor Jose Molina Orosa Hospital.
An inquest into Mr Silcox’s death commenced on Monday morning at Gwent Coroners’ Court.
It heard how he fallen into an atrium stairwell “following the collapse of a wooden bannister” and that the local civil guard was conducting an investigation into his death.
Area coroner for Gwent, Rose Farmer, said she was opening the inquest “due to a death from injuries from a fall”.
She said preliminary investigations suggested Mr Silcox died “due to a traumatic brain injury due to a fall, skull fractures and skull lacerations.”
Torfaen councillor David Daniels expressed his condolences on Monday, saying: “Darren was a really lovely guy, and – along with Kim – was at the heart of our Pontnewydd community.
“I have very fond memories of taking daily trips to Darren’s Five Locks shop after school with my friends. He was always there and always so friendly to us.
“Deepest condolences to Ellie and Connor and all of Darren’s friends and family. Thinking of them all at this incredibly difficult time.”
The inquest has been postponed until a full hearing on July 20, 2026.
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