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Footballer, 18, ‘Hadn’t Even Unpacked Bags’ Before He Died On First Lads’ Holiday
The family of 18-year-old Ryan Long ‘can’t wrap their heads around’ what happened to their son.
The British teenager was travelling to Ibiza, Spain, for his first ever lads holiday.
But his family and friends could never have predicted the tragic outcome.
Ryan landed in the notorious party destination on July 2, and hadn’t even unpacked his suitcase before he decided to head to a club with friends.
Speaking to the Metro, his dad, Adrian, said: “Their cases were in the room and he didn’t even unpack – they went straight out, excited to be on their first lads’ holiday on their own.”
He added: “They visited a few bars before ending up at the club, and he didn’t seem quite right there.
“Towards the end of the night, he got in a cab to go back to the apartments with his friends.”
In the taxi, his friends noticed that Ryan began to take a turn for the worst, and started to froth at the mouth.
His mom, Angela, said: “His friends put him in the recovery position and phoned an ambulance – his friend was doing the respirator while paramedics worked on him.”
When Angela received a phone call saying that her son had suffered a bad reaction, she firstly assumed he had gone into anaphylaxis from his nut allergy.
After being told to get to the island as soon as possible, the parents realised they were not able to book a flight for days.
His dad said: “When we got there, they said he wouldn’t survive the operation.
“More scans had revealed he had septic shock and a brain haemorrhage.”
After receiving dialysis and having transfusions, Ryan tragically died on July 8, surrounded by his family.
Adrian said: “Youngsters think they’re invincible, but we’re never going to forget this.”
It has since been revealed that Ryan’s death was as a result of a bad reaction to taking the drug ecstasy.
His parents noted: “We’ve sat our boys down many a time and told them not to take drugs. I just can’t get my head around it.
“Not in a million years did I ever think he would do anything like this.”
Issuing advice to other parents, they added: “You can drum it into them many times, but hopefully people will think twice.
“It is the height of the season now, and everyone will be going out there.
“In that environment, they’re away from home, the adrenaline is going, and they just don’t think.”
His mum noted that ‘the devastation they leave behind is not worth it.’
According to the parents, his friends who looked after him are ‘traumatised from what they’ve been through.’
At the time of his death, Ryan was completing his apprenticeship, and had been partaking in football coaching for some time.
Ben Bradford, from BBGK training academy, said: “One of our long-standing members and his family are experiencing an unimaginable loss, following the recent passing of a beloved brother and son.
“This family has been with me since the very beginning—nearly 10 years—and they are truly part of the heart and history of our academy.”
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