A Liverpool man who died after apparently being struck by lightning was not in the water at the time, his dad said.
Local media in Greece reported that Scott Seddon, 26, died after being struck in the Agia Agathi area of Rhodes on Tuesday, May 30. Greek media outlet Rodiaki said Scott, from Childwall, was on a paddleboard in the sea when a bolt of lightning struck a short distance from where he was.
But Scott's dad Stephen Seddon, 68, told the BBC his son had returned to the beach when the tragedy happened. Mr Seddon, who is understood to have a holiday home in Rhodes, said: "He wasn't some silly tourist who gets on a board to go somewhere dangerous. He knows the water and respects the water."
READ MORE: Someone killed my son and someone knows who did it
Scott's mum Jackie, 56, also told the BBC the storm had gone when her son was on the beach. Mrs Seddon called it a "freak accident" and added: "He wasn't on the board and it was not anywhere near him."
It was understood Scott was taken to the Archangelos Health Centre where medics desperately tried to resuscitate him but he sadly died. The ECHO understands the 26-year-old was a student at King David High School in Childwall for a period of time. His social media page suggests he also attended St Francis Xavier's College in Woolton.
Scott's open Instagram account features a number of pictures of him and his partner, who is believed to have been with on the beach at the time, travelling around the world and doing extreme sports like snowboarding, ju-jitsu and diving.
A number of friends left tributes to him online. One said: "Rest in peace Scotty, we will miss you mate" while another added: "Miss your energy you absolute beautiful soul." A third wrote: "RIP Scott, your positivity and energy was infectious."
Mrs Seddon told the BBC her son was "one of a kind, he was flamboyant. A beautiful blonde boy." An investigation by the Central Port Authority of Rhodes has been launched.
A spokesperson for The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Rhodes and are in contact with the local authorities."
READ NEXT:
Virgin Media customers warned to switch off their routers
Mum who 'got on with the pain' received devastating phone call at work
Phillip Schofield's 'unforgivable' admission as he issues tell all BBC statement on affair
Merseyside's best fish and chip shops - an insider's guide
M&S shoppers praise 'comfy' £45 sandals that 'go with every summer outfit'
