A British holidaymaker has drowned after becoming separated from his friends during a night out in a Costa del Sol holiday resort.
Andrew Wallace, 54, from Bolton, was found dead hours after he vanished when a local went to get his boat to go out sailing.
His holiday companions had already reported him missing at a police station near the hotel they were staying at in Benalmadena.
Tributes have been paid to the dad, who has been described as a "top guy" and "one in a million".
A routine probe has been launched by a local investigating judge.
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However sources close to the case say there is nothing pointing to anything suspicious and the tourist's death is believed to be the result of a tragic accident.
Mr Wallace was found floating in the water at Benalmadena Marina, a Costa del Sol entertainment hot-spot lined with many popular restaurants and late-night bars.
The alarm was raised on Saturday morning, several hours after his disappearance during a night out with friends he had flown to Spain with.
The group were due to jet back to Britain on Sunday and he is thought to have already been reported missing by his worried friends by the time his body was discovered.
An autopsy revealed he had injuries to his chest and arms where he is believed to have tried to make a desperate attempt to climb out of the water in the area where he fell.
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Confirmation the victim was British emerged late yesterday.
His loved ones including his son Ainsley and a Manchester-based daughter, are already understood to have flown to Spain to arrange the repatriation of his body.
One well-wisher posted on social media: “Sorry about your dad mate. He was one in a million.”
Friend Scott Cayden Dean added: “What a top guy he was. Rest in peace Andy.”
A source said: “The dead man was with a group of friends who were staying together in a hotel and went out on Friday night.
“It appears he became separated from the rest of the group at one point and when they couldn’t find him they reported him missing because they were due to fly back home on the Sunday and obviously became concerned for his wellbeing.”
Another insider added: “We suspect he became disorientated after becoming separated from the group he was with and fell into the water and drowned in a tragic accident.
“His body was discovered the following morning.
“He fell in a part of the marina which is fairly high above the water and that made would have made it very difficult for him to reach safety.”
Local police have yet to comment.
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