'We will probably never find all the answers': Family's reaction after open verdict in inquest into death of Sunderland man after Turkish holiday balcony fall

Ryan Collier, 34, died on Friday, October 23, 2020, almost two weeks after suffering serious injuries in the fall at his hotel in Marmaris.

Sunderland senior coroner Derek Winter has now concluded an inquest which was first opened shortly after Ryan’s death.

The inquest heard pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton had concluded death was due to bronchial pneumonia as a result of a blunt head injury.

Coroner’s officer Vicky Ross said six witness statements had been received and there were ‘inconsistent details’ in their accounts.

Ryan had been to a restaurant with his partner, her daughter and a friend and, according to some witnesses, an argument had broken out causing him to leave, though he did return later.

‘People were shouting for him to get down’

The group had gone for a drink at their hotel. Ryan, of Lincoln Street, Millfield, said he was going back to the room and a short time later, was seen on the balcony.

"Four witnesses say people were shouting for him to get down but he quickly came off the balcony,” said Mrs Ross.

Ryan’s partner’s daughter stated she saw him standing on the railings before he ‘suddenly jumped down’. his partner also said he had been standing on the railings and ‘suddenly jumped’.

Other witnesses referred to Ryan hanging from the balcony or sitting on the railings.

Mrs Ross said considerable efforts had been made in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to obtain more evidence, including text messages exchanged between the group, but nothing else had been forthcoming.

‘We will probably never find all the answers’

Recording an open conclusion, Mr Winter said it was impossible to be sure why Ryan had fallen and whether he had intended to take his own life or fallen accidentally: “If I knew that, I would record the appropriate conclusion,” he said.

Speaking after the hearing, Ryan’s father Brian, 66, said: “The outcome is what we expected. The big fear was him saying Ryan had committed suicide – we knew he did not.

"We will probably never find all the answers.”