Scots grandmother dies in Spanish airport on way back from 'best holiday'

An “amazing” North Lanarkshire grandmother died in a Spanish airport while on her way back from holiday.

Angela McTier, from Blantyre, was in a taxi heading to Alicante airport when she unknowingly suffered a ruptured varicose vein, causing significant blood loss.

The 48-year-old lost consciousness after reaching the departure lounge, and despite resuscitation attempts, she died at the scene.

Death from varicose veins is rare, but they can burst spontaneously or after minor trauma.

Angela’s daughter, Michelle Hilston, told STV News that her mother had been working to improve her health and was looking forward to watching her granddaughters grow up.

“My mum watched the grandkids at least two nights every week and always looked forward to them coming over”, the 24-year-old said.

“I’m heartbroken for my two girls who have just lost that special relationship with her.

“If there’s one thing my mum loved, it was going on holiday, she thrived over there and this particular holiday to La Mata she just kept saying how amazing it was, it was her best holiday and she’d felt so well and couldn’t wait to bring the grandkids over.

“She was due to go away with me and my two toddlers next month as well.”

Michelle believes that without the support of her mum, she wouldn’t have been able to study her “dream degree” to become a midwife.

On the day of her death, Angela was sent a video of her 11-month-old granddaughter taking her first steps.

Michelle added: “She helped me out so much to pursue my dream degree after having my kids and always made sure I had all the childcare and financial support I needed.

“Her holidays were a special thing for her, she went multiple times a year, and it was one of the things she loved doing the most.

“But the thing she loved the most was her granddaughters and would ask for pictures of them multiple times a day.

“The day she died, I had sent her a video of my 11-month-old finally walking, and she was in tears over the video, phoning everyone to tell them, and I’m glad that’s the last video she saw of the kids.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with the costs of repatriating Angela and her funeral.

A FCDO Spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Spain.”

To visit the GoFundMe click here.