Policeman dies on holiday as devastated friends pay tribute to 'ray of sunshine'

09 August 2023 , 19:32

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PC Jack Reay, 26, suffered a cardiac arrest while on holiday in Mallorca (Image: BPM Media)

Tributes have been paid to a young police officer who died suddenly while on holiday.

PC Jack Reay, from Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, went into cardiac arrest while in Mallorca. The 26-year-old had been a constable for three years, working in the local policing department in Leek.

The police officers' union, the Police Federation, described him as a "ray of sunshine who was popular with his colleagues". Chairman of the Staffordshire Police Federation, Lee Robinson, said: "We are absolutely devastated. He was a really popular member of the team.

"He was such a young lad with such a bright future ahead of him. He was so well thought of. His colleagues are devastated. The way that his colleagues have reacted and the overwhelming sadness that this has created within the police family is testament to his popularity. It's just so sad. He was so young."

Jack joined the police force in 2020, initially as a student. He worked at the Western Hub at Cannock and then was posted to the Moorlands Local Policing Team. A GoFundMe to raise £6,000 for Jack's funeral and to bring him back home has smashed its target, having so far raised £6,869. It has been set up by Jack's brother, Tom Reay, reports StokeonTrentLive.

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On the page he wrote: "We are utterly devastated by the sudden tragic death of my brother Jack Reay at the age of 26. He died in Mallorca from a sudden cardiac arrest, surrounded by his closest friends.

"Our family want to give Jack the best goodbye we can possibly do. Any donations you could give please to help with his repatriation and funeral costs would be so greatly received. This would enable us to make this a special day to celebrate the life of Jack. Thank you, from Tom and my family."

Jack also played for Uttoxeter Rugby Club. Paying tribute, the club said: "Jack came to us simply looking for a casual game of rugby and instantly became an invaluable member of our 2nd team squad raising the game of everyone around him with his undeniably talented gameplay.

"We feel privileged to have had the chance to play alongside him and will miss him deeply. All of Jack's loved ones can be assured that he was admired by everyone he knew at Uttoxeter RFC and our thoughts will remain with his family and friends through this difficult time."

In a statement, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Mallorca, and are in touch with the local authorities."

Flora Byatt