An 88-year-old British man died in Tenerife after sustaining a head injury during an attempted robbery near his holiday home. Ray Cowen, from Blackpool, Lancashire, was involved in a confrontation with two men on June 17 in Los Cristianos, a popular resort area in Spain’s Canary Islands. The incident occurred as the couple were outside their residence when the assailants tried to seize Mr. Cowen’s watch and his wife Judy’s handbag.

According to local authorities, the two suspects followed the couple and attempted to snatch the handbag and forcibly take Mr. Cowen’s watch. During the struggle, Mr. Cowen was pushed to the ground and struck his head against a stationary vehicle. He was subsequently hospitalized but later died from his injuries.

Spanish police have arrested three individuals in connection with the case, including a 34-year-old Senegalese man reportedly known to law enforcement. He is accused of pushing Mr. Cowen during the mugging. The other two suspects have been released on bail. Authorities indicated that the men fled without taking any items, as passers-by intervened before they could escape.

The investigation remains ongoing, with local officers continuing to gather evidence about the circumstances leading to Mr. Cowen’s death. Police have described the incident as a violent robbery attempt and are seeking to determine the full sequence of events and the motivations behind the attack.