Brit boy scout, 6, who drowned in Majorca pool near Love Island villa is named as family pay tribute to ‘wee bear’
A SIX-year-old Brit boy scout who drowned in a hotel pool close to the Love Island villa in Majorca has been hailed as "the brightest star" by his heartbroken family.
Corey Aughey, from Northern Ireland, was rushed to hospital in a “critical” state from the three-star Globales Bouganvilla Apart hotel of Sa Coma, Spain, on Thursday.
The "wee boy" was revived at the poolside by emergency responders but tragically lost his fight for life on Sunday afternoon at Son Espases Hospital in the island capital Palma.
Civil Guard officers rushed to the scene along with local police but another force - Spain’s National Police - will now be asked to carry out an investigation.
Corey was two hours into the first day of a holiday with his parents at the hotel when fell into the pool.
Unconfirmed local reports say the youngster’s parents had lost sight of him for several minutes before he was spotted floating face-down in the water.
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Loved ones have paid tribute to Corey as they raise money to help fly him home, reports the
Darci Aughey posted on Facebook: “You always were the most gorgeous person in the world and now you’re the most gorgeous sunset and brightest star in the sky.”
Well-wisher Gary Larkham wrote alongside a photo of Corey waiting to blow out the candle on a birthday cake: “They say a picture tells a thousand words, this picture to me was Corey all over always loved a birthday party and couldn’t wait to blow the candles out and patiently waited on his turn to blow them out too.
"Such a cruel world we live in. Thinking of my good friends Leanne Aughey Colin, Jay Darci and Joel at this devastating time.”
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A relative confirmed the youngster was just hours into his holiday and said he had fallen into the pool.
Emergency responders are understood to have revived him after performing CPR on him for nearly half an hour before he was rushed from the scene.
One of the little boy's family members posted to Facebook, saying: “We as a family want to let yous know that king Corey has gained his wings [sic]."
"The family couldn't off got through it without all your support, we want to thank you from the bottoms off our hearts for all your kind donations, now we have to concentrate on getting him home. Please keep praying for the family to get the strength to get through the next couple off weeks!!!”
Sharing photos of the little boy, a family friend described "beautiful beloved" Corey as "the best wee boy, always smiling, full of love and fun".
Another wrote: "It is with great sadness to let you know that wee Corey has now passed away.
"He sadly lost his brave battle Sympathies to all the family at this sad time.
"Rest In Peace Wee Bear."
'FULL OF ENTHUSIASM'
Meanwhile, the 45th Belfast Scout Group wrote: “This is extremely sad news and the thoughts and prayers of everyone connected to the 45th are with his family at this heart breaking time.
“Corey will be fondly remembered by his Beaver Leaders as being fun loving, always smiling and full of enthusiasm. We will miss him so much.
“Beaver parents have already been informed. Pastoral support has kindly been offered by our District Commissioner so if you feel a leader or young person would like to avail of this, please let me know."
A spokesman for the National Police in Palma said they were still awaiting more details and could not comment at this stage.
It comes after a British toddler last month drowned in a swimming pool accident on the Costa Blanca.
Freddie Joseph Briggs died in the pool at his parents’ home in the village of Aigues near Benidorm on May 25, leading the local council to declare three days of mourning.
Tributes were paid to the at his funeral service at a church in Belfast where he was christened before he was buried at a nearby cemetery.
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Father Thomas McGlynn told mourners at the service the youngster brought happiness to those around him and enjoyed his short life “to the very full.”
The child’s dad Marc Briggs, known to pals as Briggsy and thought to be from Mansfield, Notts, and Belfast-born mum Jane Mohan had moved to the Costa Blanca shortly before the tragedy.
