Tributes to Brit businessman, 44, found floating in sea after being ‘hit in the head’ during Greek yacht regatta

A BRIT businessman was found dead in the sea after suffering a head injury while on a Greek island for a yacht regatta.

Tributes have been paid to Stuart Bradshaw, 44, who was found dead in the sea off the idyllic island of Spetses.

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Stuart Bradshaw, 44, was remembered as a man who was ‘loved’[/caption]

He was taking part in the Regatta aboard the yacht Whisper

His family remembered him as someone who will be “loved and missed by many” in a tribute released to The Sun.

They described his death as a “tragic accident”.

The investment developer, who lived near Colchester, Essex, flew out to Southern Europe to take part in the prestigious regatta on the yacht Whisper.

The island of Spetses is described as a “playground for the rich”.

His body was discovered last week – and Greek officials yesterday confirmed they have ruled out any criminal case.

Greek news outlet Protothema reported they had ruled his cause of death as accidental drowning.

It reported Mr Bradshaw had been enjoying an evening with his friends before being found dead the following day next to the Tsaldari pier in the Old Port.

He had suffered an injury to the left side of the head.

In a statement released by Stuart’s firm Push Investment Group, his family said: “Stuart was so loved and will be missed by many. 

“We have been overwhelmed by the support shown and the many kind words that have been shared by those who knew him.

“As we try to come to terms with this tragic accident, we request that we are given the space and privacy needed to grieve as a family.”

A local police source said that the Brit appeared to have been knocked unconscious before he ended up in the water possibly after a fall.

They said: “But what is certain is that he had an injury on the left side of his head and was almost certainly unconscious when he fell into the sea.”

It is believed that Mr Bradshaw had arrived on the island with a group of friends to take part in the three-day Regatta which attracts hundreds of sailing fans each year, in his 26-foot US Cup-style boat.

He was found floating in the sea in the island’s exclusive old port area.

A coastguard said a “gash” on the left side of his head was “puzzling”.

On Friday, his body was transferred to a coroner’s office in the port city of Piraeus, near the Greek capital.

Officials said that getting the results of toxicology tests which could help explain how he died could take several months.

One local said the tragedy had left the island saddened and shocked.

He said: “This is the Monte Carlo of Greece and nothing like this ever happens here.

“We’re really shaken and upset.”

Spetses – which can be reached from the Greek capital Athens in two hours by hovercraft – has a reputation as a “playground for the rich and famous”.

It is home to some of the wealthiest people in Greece, with the founder of easyJet, Sir Selios Haji-Ioannou, among the super-rich who have luxury villas there.

The island has a population of just 3,700 and is noted for its annual regatta which attracts entrants from all over Europe.

Founded in 2011, the event is the most popular sailing event in Greece and attracts as many as 400 rare traditional wooden boats. 

The tragedy brings the death toll of tourists in Greece to eight since the beginning of last month – described as “unprecedented” by local officials.

Most of the victims, including the British TV doctor presenter Michael Mosley, died while hiking in blistering temperatures that have hit the Mediterranean in recent weeks.

Dr Mosley was found dead on the remote island of Symi on June 9, five days after he was reported missing.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.”