HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for the British bar owner who died after he was reportedly thrown 13ft down a flight of stairs during a brawl with a German expat.
Chris Thomas, 50, who owned the Clock Bar in Lanzarote, died a day after being rushed to hospital following the incident in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A German man aged 46, described locally as a "troublemaker" who had reportedly been banned from several bars and pubs in the island resort of Costa Teguise, is in custody.
He was arrested on suspicion of homicide and has been remanded in jail pending an ongoing investigation after appearing before a judge on Monday.
Chris was rushed to hospital after being stabilised at the scene at the Clock Bar on Sunday.
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He sadly died at the Doctor Jose Molina Orosa Hospital in Lanzarote’s capital Arrecife on Monday.
Friends and loved ones described London-born expat Chris as "caring, loving and funny" in social media tributes today.
One wrote: "A huge hole has been left in our hearts and minds. A true gentleman. A lovely man. A great character. A smile that would light up any room.
"The world has lost someone very special. He will be missed by so many."
He added: “It was a pleasure and privilege to have you as a friend.”
Another one said: "I've no words that could possibly help at this truly devastating time. So incredibly sorry that you should all be facing such a tragic loss.
"Chris was a friend to all...One of life's real good guys. His passing will be felt so strongly by so many.
"I feel privileged to have known him and shared so many laughs. My heart goes out to all of you and you will all be in my thoughts."
Someone else said: "So sad to hear this, one thing I always noticed about Chris was his amazing smile and twinkle in his eye, may you rest in peace Chris."
Confirming it was currently closed, staff at The Clock said in a social media message: “As you may well be aware now or soon. We have lost Chris. The Clock is closed.
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“We will keep you informed.”
One local report said the incident that led to Chris’s death happened at The Clock, but well-placed sources said it had occurred at a nearby commercial centre by a fast food restaurant.
Police were called shortly after 3am on Sunday and assisted in providing emergency medical assistance before making the arrest.
The man’s parents are believed to live in Lanzarote although he has siblings thought to be based in the UK.
Local reports said the German had been banned from several bars in the area because he was known as a "troublemaker" who often got into brawls.
Court officials have confirmed he is being investigated on suspicion of homicide, although investigators are still understood to be in the process of analysing CCTV footage to see if he deliberately pushed the British man and should be charged with murder or manslaughter.
A spokesman for the investigating judge said: "With regards to the death that occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Costa Teguise in Lanzarote, Court of Instruction Number Four in Arrecife has confirmed it is investigating a man on suspicion of homicide.
"This person has exercised his constitutional right not to say anything and has been remanded in prison."
A spokesman for Spain’s National Police in Lanzarote said: "We were alerted about a public order incident around 3am on Sunday morning.
"As a result of that fight one of the people involved fell from a height of around 13 feet at one of the leisure complexes in Costa Teguise.
"The first thing we did was assist the victim before arresting the other man involved in the incident.
"The victim was taken to hospital but died the following day as a result of his injuries.
"Detectives launched an investigation to try to establish whether a suspected homicide had taken place.
"The suspect was handed over to the courts and remanded in custody.”
A well-placed source added: "Investigators have evidence pointing to the suspect pushing the other man."
