**Grieving Family Warns of Dangers After Son Dies During First Holiday in Ibiza**
A British family has spoken out in the hope of saving other young lives after their son tragically died during his first holiday abroad with friends. Ryan Long, 18, from Eastwood, Essex, suffered fatal complications after reportedly taking ecstasy while clubbing on the Spanish island of Ibiza.
According to his parents, Ryan was a cheerful, kind-hearted young man who had just set off for his eagerly anticipated “lad’s holiday”, his first trip without family. He and four other friends landed in Ibiza on 2 July, eager to immerse themselves in the vibrant nightlife. Excitement quickly turned to disaster, however, when Ryan fell gravely ill at the UNVRS nightclub on what should have been a night of harmless celebration.
Ryan’s father, Adrian, recalled that the group hadn’t even unpacked before heading out to explore the legendary clubs and bars. They ventured through several venues before ending up at UNVRS, where Ryan soon became unwell. “He didn’t seem quite right in the club,” Adrian described, a sign that something was amiss.
The night took a turn for the worse as Ryan left the venue with his mates. Once out of the taxi at their apartment complex, he suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. His mother, Angela, outlined the harrowing sequence of events: “He went straight into a coma, was foaming at the mouth, and the last thing he said was his brother Aaron’s name,” she recalled. Friends quickly administered first aid and called an ambulance, with one friend stepping in to provide respirator support while paramedics rushed to assist.
Initially, Ryan’s family was told that he had suffered a severe reaction, prompting Angela to fear it could be linked to Ryan’s nut allergy or the possibility of his drink being spiked. Yet when Ryan was admitted to hospital, doctors informed the family that the situation was critical—his heart and kidneys were failing. Despite the urgency, Angela and Adrian faced logistical hurdles, unable to board a flight to Ibiza until several days later.
On the Thursday following his collapse, Ryan’s condition deteriorated sharply. His parents were advised to brace themselves for the worst. After finally reaching Ibiza and heading directly to see their son, they learned his liver was also failing and doctors were preparing to airlift Ryan to Menorca for a possible transplant. Tragically, additional scans revealed he had developed septic shock and suffered a brain haemorrhage, meaning he would not survive the operation.
Ryan died with his family by his side on 8 July, just days after arriving on the island full of dreams and anticipation.
In the wake of their devastating loss, Ryan’s parents are now issuing a plea to other young holidaymakers. Adrian reflected on the dangerous bravado often prevalent among teenagers abroad. “Young people think it can’t happen to them. We all try and warn them, but hopefully Ryan’s story will make someone think twice,” he said, highlighting the risky temptations and high-pressure environments that often characterise holidays in places like Ibiza.
Angela echoed this sentiment, lamenting not only the irreparable loss to their family but also the trauma experienced by Ryan’s friends, who did their utmost to save him. She pointed to the high costs associated with Ibiza nightlife, observing that at €52 for a vodka and coke, young adults on apprenticeships might be tempted to seek out other, more dangerous highs.
Ryan’s parents described him as a young man with a bright future. He was apprenticing at the time of his death and was contemplating taking a year off to pursue scuba diving—a passion in which he excelled from a young age. A keen sportsman, he had represented Essex in swimming and played football, supporting both Southend and Chelsea.
Angela also shared how Ryan’s confidence had soared after passing his driving test, marking a new chapter in his life before it was so suddenly cut short. “He was always more interested in cars and gaming, but once he started driving, he found his stride,” she said.
In the aftermath of this family tragedy, friends and well-wishers can support the Long family through a fundraising campaign. Meanwhile, Ryan’s loved ones urge all young travellers to think twice about the choices made amid the excitement and freedom of holiday life—reminding them that the consequences can be truly heart-breaking.