Husband's grief after wife, 61, was found dead in their hotel pool in Cape Verde having left him at the bar to go to the bathroom

  • Paul and Norma Surtees, 61, had been on holiday in Cape Verde for nine days
  • While enjoying drinks with friends Mrs Surtees went to bathroom on her own
  • Mr Surtees then found wife, who 'had a history of balance problems' in the pool 
  • Community in Billingham, Teeside, have raised £9K to bring Mrs Surtees home

A husband has spoken of his grief after his wife of almost 20 years was found dead in the hotel swimming pool during their holiday.

Paul Surtees, 61, who had been staying at the Riu Palace Hotel in Cape Verde with his wife Norma, suspects she accidentally fell in while on the way to the bathroom.

The couple, who live in Billingham, were spending the evening with two friends at the pool bar on Friday, June 28.

But when Mrs Surtees, 61, who had a history of balance problems, left briefly and didn't return Mr Surtees knew something was wrong.

Paul Surtees has spoken of his grief after his wife Norma, pictured, was found dead in the hotel swimming pool during their holiday to Cape Verde

Paul Surtees has spoken of his grief after his wife Norma, pictured, was found dead in the hotel swimming pool during their holiday to Cape Verde

He said: 'We were having drinks around the swimming bar with friends we'd met in the hotel. Norma went off to the toilet, but she didn't return.

'The next thing I knew there was a huge commotion and there was a body in the pool. It was Norma.

'There hasn't been a coroner investigation as yet but when they recovered her from the pool I noticed there was a small bruise on her face.

'She had a history of problems with her balance and she had a big fall last year. 

'Because of that, I believe she may have accidentally fallen in.'

As a result of a past fall Mrs Surtees had lost her sense of taste and smell but she began to regain her senses during the trip.

Mr Surtees said: 'We went to a salt mine and you could float in the sea, I was telling her to taste the salty water and she could.

Mr Surtees, pictured, said his wife had a 'history of problems with her balance' and had a big fall last year which made him think Mrs Surtees 'may have accidentally fallen in' the pool

Mr Surtees, pictured, said his wife had a 'history of problems with her balance' and had a big fall last year which made him think Mrs Surtees 'may have accidentally fallen in' the pool

The couple, who had been married for nearly 20 years, pictured together, had been in Cape Verde for nine days before Mrs Surtees death

The couple, who had been married for nearly 20 years, pictured together, had been in Cape Verde for nine days before Mrs Surtees death

'We also had a nice coffee and she tasted that too, we couldn't believe it. Things seemed to be changing for her, but then this happened, that's a cruel twist.'

The couple had been on the island for nine days before Mrs Surtees' death. 

After losing his wife Mr Surtees was notified by his insurance company that only £3,000 would be paid out towards getting Mrs Surtees home from the island.

That left him with an extra £7,000 that he had to scrape together.

But to his amazement, the community back home rallied round in a heartfelt show of support and managed to raise almost £9,000 for him in just two days.

Because of their efforts, Mrs Surtees will be brought back to the UK this week.

Mr Surtees' is committed to fundraising in the community himself and has helped others for a number of years.

The grandfather runs Epic Teesside, a service which provides social inclusion activities to vulnerable young people and families, vulnerable or isolated adults, and young unwaged adults in the region.

The couple had been staying at the Riu Palace Hotel in Cape Verde, pictured, where stays start from £846 per person. Their community back home in Billingham have since raised £9,000 to help bring Mrs Surtees home

The couple had been staying at the Riu Palace Hotel in Cape Verde, pictured, where stays start from £846 per person. Their community back home in Billingham have since raised £9,000 to help bring Mrs Surtees home

Mr Surtees' said: 'I'm quite well known in the town, but I didn't realise how well. The show of support has been overwhelming.

'It is a very difficult time, I'm struggling, but it's so touching. It's not bringing her back, but people's kindness has given me a lot of comfort.'

He added: 'Norma worked in the care sector for a lot of her life. She touched people's hearts.

'She was loved by everybody and she had a smile as wide as the ocean.' 

Mrs Surtees leaves behind two daughters, Bekki, 31, and Carrie, 33, along with three grandsons and four sisters.

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