Safety cuts in a struggling EU tourist paradise might have contributed to the tragic death of a loving Angus father, it has been claimed.
Ex-RAF serviceman Richard Milne drowned on the Greek island of Corfu while on holiday with his wife and children.
The 39-year-old, who was originally from Carnoustie, was reported to have died during a snorkelling accident at Kontoyalos beach but his wife has said he was found two miles out at sea after going for a swim.
Father-of-two Mr Milne gave 15 years’ service to the RAF and met Claire while posted in England.
The grieving widow said staff at their hotel indicated that tourist deaths of this type occur on Corfu’s beaches every year and local authority cutbacks have stripped safety precautions to the bone.
“I do think because there have been some serious budget cutbacks in Greece, because of the economic crisis, that this had a direct effect on what happened to Richie,” she told The Courier.
“There was no sign at all on the beach about the danger of the currents. I know the locals don’t even use the beach most of the year.
“There was no flag until the day after the accident, no flotation devices like life rings, and there was a lifeguard station but no lifeguards. They usually have them for June and July but I was told because of cutbacks they didn’t.”
The couple took their children, Reuben, 9, and Zoe, 12, to the Aquis Pelekas Beach Hotel, on the island’s west coast. It was their first family holiday abroad in nine years and a celebration of Claire finishing university.
The family remained there for eight days after Mr Milne’s death on June 1 to arrange the repatriation of his body, and to spend important time together.
Mrs Milne said: “Our son Reuben asked the manager if he could put up a sign saying ‘my daddy died here so please be careful’.”
A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed that it has supported the family in the wake of their tragic loss, but made no comment on Mrs Milne’s claims or any possible investigation by the Greek authorities.
Questions still remain over the cause of Mr Milne’s death.
“I was told in the first case that he was snorkelling and that he was found with a snorkel in his mouth but we know for a fact that didn’t happen,” Mrs Milne added.
“At the end of the police interview where I gave a statement, I had to sign something that said the hotel hadn’t been negligent. I’m sure they weren’t but how do I know? I don’t even know what happened.”
Mr Milne’s family in Carnoustie paid tribute to a committed family man and gifted academic who had “sailed through life without any problems”.
John Milne, 63, said he “still can’t believe” his son will not come back for his twice-yearly visit home.
And he revealed that Richard’s mother Sheila had also died tragically young at 39.
He said: “Richard was a good father and a doting dad. He also doted on his mother. She died of cancer 21 years ago.”
Mr Milne’s funeral will be held at Carnoustie Church on Saturday at 11am. His family have asked for friends and family to attend, but not wearing black tie.