A British dad died on a family holiday in Tenerife after his wife heard his screams at 4am. Gareth Moores, 48, had flown to the Canary Islands with wife Colette and 19-year-old son Jake last month before tragedy struck.
The dad-of-two and stepdad-of-two, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, spent much of the fourth day by the pool before eating and watching entertainment at a resort in Santa Cruz. Then, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, just before around 4am the following morning, Colette heard her husband yell, before he fell to the ground and died.
Colette, 56, said: "You pack your suitcases, get in your taxi and off you trot to the airport. You don't think you will end up fetching one of your own.
"We'd had a great time. Then at 4am he just shouted out, fell on the floor and pretty much died straight away. My son works for Ryanair and luckily with his training, he started CPR. But there was nothing there.
"By the time medics came they worked on him for an hour, but that was that. He was only 48 - there were no symptoms, nothing. He'd just built a big extension for us. It's just mad."
After working on the extension at their home Colette said her husband, who was a butcher, was excited for the holiday, which began on November 8, and he was 'ready for it'. The couple had been together for 28 years and married for 20. Together they had children Jake, 19, and Lillie, 18, while Gareth was also step-dad to Leanne, 38, and Ashleigh, 35.
Colette said: "I think I'm still trying to process it. I keep waiting for the door to open with him coming in, shouting.
"He never left the house without a kiss on the cheek or stroking my arm. All five of us would get 'good morning, I love you, have a nice day', without fail."
Before becoming a butcher, much loved Gareth previously also worked in an auxiliary role at Dr Kershaw's Hospice for two or three evenings a week.
The family has received an outpouring of love from people who knew Gareth, receiving hundreds of messages including kind words from the loved ones of those he helped at Dr Kershaw's.
"The messages are amazing, it's really helped us," said Colette.
"I can't thank everybody enough for the support they've given us. We had 23 bouquets of flowers sent to the house."
Colette has also thanked TUI for helping with arrangements to bring Gareth home, following his death in the early hours of November 12. On Friday morning Gareth's inquest was opened at Rochdale Coroners Court.
His death was described in court as 'unascertained', with further investigation work to take place. The inquest was adjourned until January 23 next year for a review.
A fundraiser has been set up to support the family ahead of Gareth's funeral. To donate, click here.
