British man who died falling from plane at Turkish airport identified

The British man who died after falling 15ft at an airport in Turkey has been identified. The first picture of the 30-year-old, named locally as Andrew Westlake, was released after the shocking death at Dalaman Airport yesterday.

Today his family said they are still in the dark about how he died. 

Andrew, from Annfield Plain in County Durham, was on a family holiday with his girlfriend and baby daughter when the tragedy happened early on Tuesday morning. 

It has been reported that he fell from a plane onto the concrete runway when staff at the airport tried to eject him from the flight. 

But the airline company – Jet2 – say he was not on or near the aircraft when he died. 

Andrew’s family were given the heartbreaking news by Durham Constabulary officers on Tuesday but say they are still in the dark about how he died.

His aunt Pauline Butler, 67, told ChronicleLive: ‘We really don’t know what to think. His mum is absolutely devastated. 

‘They were very close.’ 

Pauline said Andrew’s mum June, 54, is heartbroken and can barely speak. 

She said the young dad ‘had some problems’ growing up but had turned his life around following the birth of his daughter around a year ago. 

‘He doted on his daughter. It was their first family holiday together,’ Pauline said. ‘He really settled down since she was born. 

He was a really doting dad. He absolutely idolised his little girl. He would do anything for her.’

It has been reported by Turkish media that Andrew tumbled from the plane onto the concrete below while attempting to exit the plane. 

The Hurriyet newspaper reported that he had been in an argument with cabin crew after he boarded the plane at around 3am, after which time the pilot reportedly ordered him off as a risk to flight safety. 

He was taken to hospital with broken ribs but fell unconscious and died a short time later, the reports said. But a Jet2 spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘We understand that a customer sadly passed away on Tuesday morning, following an incident inside the terminal building at Dalaman Airport. 

Contrary to some reports, we can confirm that the customer was not injured on our aircraft or in the vicinity of our aircraft. ‘As investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further, however we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the customer’s family and friends at this very sad time.’ 

Andrew’s family say they have also been given conflicting reports from authorities in Turkey.

Pauline said they have been told that Andrew did not even board the plane and could have fallen to his death from a building. ‘It’s just not fair on the family. Really it’s diabolical that we are having to piece things together ourselves,’ she said. 

Her husband, Keith, 67, is now hoping other passengers at the airport might have seen what happened and can get in touch. ‘It’s all very sketchy,’ he said. ‘Things just don’t add up. We can’t find out anything and the family are not coping very well at all, mainly because they are just not getting any answers.’ 

He added: ‘We just want to hear from anyone that was on that flight.’

Andrew, who was first named and pictured by Turkish media, had reportedly been waiting at the airport for a flight back to the UK for three days after losing his ticket. 

A Foreign Office spokeswoman yesterday confirmed: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Turkey.’ 

The Foreign Office said it is in contact with local authorities and Turkish police are investigating.