A BRIT businessman was found dead at sea after suffering a head injury while on a Greek island for a yacht race.
Tributes have been paid to Stuart Bradshaw, 44, who was found dead at sea near the idyllic island of Spetses.
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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 promoter, who lived near Colchester, Essex, flew 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 authorities confirmed yesterday that they had ruled out any criminal case.
Greek media outlet Prototheme reported that they considered the cause of death to be accidental drowning.
He reported that Bradshaw was enjoying a night out with his friends before he was found dead the next day near Tsaldari Pier in the Old Port.
He suffered an injury to the left side of his head.
In a statement released by Stuart’s company Push Investment Group, his family said: “Stuart was much loved and will be missed by many.
“We were overwhelmed by the support shown and the many kind words that were shared by those who knew him.
“As we try to come to terms with this tragic accident, we request that we be given the space and privacy we need to grieve as a family.”
A local police source said the Briton appeared to have fallen unconscious before falling into the water, possibly after a fall.
They said: “But what is certain is that he had a wound to the left side of his head and was almost certainly unconscious when he fell into the sea.”
Bradshaw is believed to have arrived on the island with a group of friends to take part in the three-day regatta that attracts hundreds of sailing fans every year, in his 26ft US Cup style boat.
He was found floating in the sea, in the island’s exclusive old port area.
A coast guard said a “cut” on the left side of the head was “intriguing”.
On Friday, his body was transferred to a coroner’s office in the port city of Piraeus, near the Greek capital.
Authorities said obtaining toxicology test results that could help explain how he died could take several months.
A local resident said the tragedy left the island sad and shocked.
He said: “This is the Monte Carlo of Greece and nothing like it happens here.
“We are 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 Greece’s richest people, with easyJet founder Sir Selios Haji-Ioannou among the super-rich who own luxury villas there.
The island has a population of just 3,700 and is known for its annual regatta that attracts participants from all over Europe.
Founded in 2011, the event is the most popular sailing event in Greece and attracts up to 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 authorities.
Most of the victims, including British television medical presenter Michael Mosley, died while hiking in the scorching temperatures that have gripped 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 spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Greece and are liaising with local authorities.”
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