West Lothian mum's heartbreak as son dies on family holiday in Canary Islands

A West Lothian mum has spoken of her "turmoil" after her son died while they were on holiday.

David Duck, 43, is believed to have suffered a heart attack while in Feurteventura on Sunday with his mother Lesley. The family, from Bathgate, were staying at Caybeach Caleta on the west of the island.

An ambulance took David's body away with his grieving mother left heartbroken, confused and unable to speak the local language. Lesley, 64, said she often went on holidays with her son following his terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

READ MORE - Grateful East Lothian dad found by wife during suicide bid after family tragedy

READ MORE - Devoted Midlothian mum speaks out at 'uncertainty' over daughter's school future

With David - who also had sclerosis of the liver - having no travel insurance, Lesley is now struggling with the financial side of losing her son. She plans to return to Scotland on Tuesday after figuring out what to do.

David's ashes are expected to be handed over on Monday, with Lesley feeling she's had "no support". The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said they are supporting the family.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, she said: "It's been total turmoil, but I'm doing better now.

"David died of a heart attack. He had pancreatic cancer, and sclerosis of the liver.

"He lived hard, and played harder. He was only 43 years-old. He didn't have insurance, which is the problem.

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

"He knew he was dying, so didn't care. He just died sooner than expected."

Lesley's grief has been added to by the confusion over "what happens next", with her being unable to speak Spanish.

She told us: "I'm meeting a woman today who is going to help, she lives on the island and speaks fluent Spanish.

"She's going to come with me and explain things and translate for me."

The cost of the process of getting David home has also thrown Lesley. She continued: "It's the financial expenses that have thrown me.

Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages

"It's all going to land on me. He's getting cremated today (Friday) which is going to cost me £2,600.

"I told them I couldn't afford that. The company went away and came back, and said if I could give them an £800 deposit they'd make a payment plan for when I get home.

"So that seems to be what's happening. I don't even know if I get a death certificate or anything, it's all been so confusing.

"I will get his ashes on Monday, other than that I've had no support."

A FCDO spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Fuerteventura and are in contact with the local authorities.”