A NORTH-EAST tourist who failed to return from a hiking trip in Spain died after he suffered a fractured skull.

While the possibility that former soldier Michael Leslie Egglestone, 53, was attacked could not be ruled out, he probably died after a fall, an inquest at Chesterle- Street Magistrates’ Court was told yesterday.

The father-of-four, from Nettlesworth, near Chester-le-Street, went missing after he went walking in hills near Alicante, on the Costa Blanca, on June 1, last year.

An experienced and skilled walker, he was due to fly home that night, but failed to return to the villa he was renting with friends and relatives in Benichembla, prompting his wife, Janice, to call police.

Spanish authorities, including police with dog handlers, Spanish residents and British expatriates searched the hills for two weeks, but Mr Egglestone’s body remained missing until April, when it was found by a walker.

His GPS unit and some money were also found, leading Coroner Graham Hunsley to conclude he was probably not robbed.

Mr Hunsley told Mr Egglestone’s family and friends who attended yesterday’s hearing: “It may have been helpful had the Spanish authorities provided a little more information about the site where Mr Egglestone was found, but I am grateful to Mrs Egglestone for the photographs I have seen, which suggest very rugged countryside.

“Whether Mr Egglestone had fallen from some little height or whether he even tripped and hit his head is not clear and perhaps never will be.

“I am content that while the pathologist leaves a small window to say she cannot be completely certain this was not the result of a fall, she says more likely than not it was.

“I hope the conclusion of the hearing today will allow the family to come to terms with something that has clearly been hanging over you for many months.”

Mr Hunsley recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Egglestone worked as an employer services manager at the Learning and Skills Council, in Gateshead.

Benichembla is a village of about 750 people, which is popular with expatriate Britons. It is about 30 miles north of Benidorm.