Teenage Brit dies in Benidorm after suspected reaction to vape oil

An 18-year-old from Dundee has died on holiday in Benidorm after a suspected reaction to vape oil, his family has said. Harry Whitton was out for lunch with his girlfriend when, his father Chris Whitton revealed in a Facebook post, the teenager suffered a deadly reaction. Post-mortem results showed his throat constricted, causing breathing difficulties, and he vomited—which, in his struggle to breathe, aspirated into his lungs. The family believes the trigger was a vape oil Harry had recently bought in Benidorm. “It is the only difference between what he has been using and what [his girlfriend] was using,” Chris said. He added: “If one thing comes from the loss of our boy Harry, it has to be us highlighting the dangers of using vapes/oils etc… There are still far too many unknowns about these vape oils and no long term studies have been done on their effects.” Harry’s mother, Debbie Bell, told Metro the family would be “having the vape oil tested” for “contained substance” once they return to Scotland. In a tribute, she said their “hearts are shattered” and their world “turned upside down”. “Our little drummer boy has passed away while living his best life on holiday with the love of his life,” she wrote. Harry was a familiar face at Dundee FC, where he worked in the hospitality lounges at Dens Park. The club described him as “highly valued by colleagues and warmly regarded by supporters”, adding they were “deeply saddened” by his death. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds to repatriate his body. “We should be arranging his surprise 18th, instead we will be home to arrange a funeral,” the family wrote. “It’s all just very unimaginable & feels very unreal.” A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Benidorm and are in contact with the local authorities.” The family now waits for answers—and for their son to come home.