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British expat dies after falling down uncovered manhole in Spain

(Caters)
Richie Kennedy died after falling down an open manhole in Spain. (Caters)

A British expat has died after falling down an open manhole in Spain.

Richie Kennedy, 39, originally from Brighton, East Sussex, died from head injuries sustained in the fall in Calahonda, Mijas Costa.

He had been walking home after seeing friends in the Spanish resort. His body was discovered 15 hours after the fall, which happened on 27 June.

His partner Claus Dueholm, 56, said: “I stepped over the barrier and then I found him, lying there, on his back, with his head covered in blood.

“It was terrible, I was in shock – it was devastating seeing him like this.

“I called an ambulance and helped his stepdad, jumping down into the 8ft-deep hole, but we couldn't get him out of there until about two hours later.

“He was completely cold at this point, he had been lying there for more than 15 hours.

PIC BY CATERS NEWS (PICTURED The manhole Rickie fell into.) A British expat has died after plunging down an uncovered manhole in Spain- he wasnt found until 15 hours later  and he died from his head injuries. Richie Kennedy, 39, was trapped for 15 hours after tumbling down the manhole and died of his head injuries. The expat, originally from Brighton, East Sussex, had been walking home from seeing pals when tragedy struck in Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Speaking from their dream home there, Richie’s distraught partner Claus Dueholm said last night: “I stepped over the barrier and then I found him, lying there, on his back, with his head covered in blood. “It was terrible, I was in shock - it was devastating seeing him like this. “I called an ambulance and helped his stepdad jumping down into the 8ft deep hole but we couldn't  get him out of there until about two hours later. “He was completely cold at this point, he had been lying there for more than 15 hours. SEE CATERS COPY.
Richie Kennedy fell down this open manhole in Calahonda, Spain, in June. (Caters)

"The police and the people from the ambulance couldn't get to him – so it wasn't until the fire brigade came with a ladder and they finally got him out."

Dueholm, originally from Denmark, spoke of his anger that the manhole had still not been covered two days after his partner’s death.

“I went to the local authorities and asked them ‘how many people have to die until you cover up this hole?’

“We lost a person at 39 years old, he had his life ahead of him and we want to get justice.

“It was so obvious, it was so close to the street where people are walking and there is no light in the street.”

(Caters)
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Richie Kennedy, who died in Spain after falling down an uncovered manhole. (Caters)
PIC BY CATERS NEWS (PICTURED The manhole Rickie fell into.) A British expat has died after plunging down an uncovered manhole in Spain- he wasnt found until 15 hours later  and he died from his head injuries. Richie Kennedy, 39, was trapped for 15 hours after tumbling down the manhole and died of his head injuries. The expat, originally from Brighton, East Sussex, had been walking home from seeing pals when tragedy struck in Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Speaking from their dream home there, Richie’s distraught partner Claus Dueholm said last night: “I stepped over the barrier and then I found him, lying there, on his back, with his head covered in blood. “It was terrible, I was in shock - it was devastating seeing him like this. “I called an ambulance and helped his stepdad jumping down into the 8ft deep hole but we couldn't  get him out of there until about two hours later. “He was completely cold at this point, he had been lying there for more than 15 hours. SEE CATERS COPY.
Richie Kennedy's body was found at the bottom of an uncovered manhole in Calahonda, Spain. (Caters)

The manhole has since been secured, but Dueholm and Mr Kennedy’s family are pursuing a legal case against the local authorities, and have set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds.

The couple had lived together in Calahonda for the past two and a half years.

Mr Kennedy texted his partner hours before he died.

“He went out to an Irish pub and had a couple of drinks with some friends,” said Dueholm.

“He texted me at 00.50am that night that he was coming home and if I could wait for him because he had forgotten his keys.

“I was waiting for him and at 2.00am he was still not here and I was wondering what happened.

“At that point I didn’t think something could have happened – I am not a negative person so I thought he may have met another friend on the way.

“It wasn’t until the next morning when I started getting really worried.”

Dueholm and Mr Kennedy’s parents found his body the next day after a search of the area.