A tourism boss died from a fatal blood clot just days after twisting his ankle on holiday in Turkey.

David Hunter – a founding director of the Northumberland Tourism organisation – collapsed last Sunday at his home after a seemingly small accident while on holiday with wife Sue in Icmeler

The 59-year-old was rushed to hospital where specialists carried out scans before discovering a blood clot on his lung.

Despite receiving emergency treatment, the dad-of-two suffered a heart attack in the early hours of Monday and he died in hospital the next day.

Sue, his wife of 32 years, has spoken of her heartache and paid tribute to a “loving family man".

Mrs Hunter, 59, who was being comforted by the couple’s two children, Rebecca, 30, and James, 24, at her home in Amble, Northumberland, said: “It’s such a shock – this time last week he was still here.

"He was so fit and so active. Last Sunday we got up as normal and I heard a bang on the bathroom floor and he had collapsed.

“When I couldn’t bring him round I knew it was something more serious so I phoned 999.

"The ambulance crew were fantastic and they were here in five minutes.

“At that time we didn’t have a clue what was wrong.

"After a CT scan that’s when they found the clot on the lung.

"He had sprained his ankle in Turkey the week before when he just missed the last step and twisted over.

“We bandaged it up the next day and he went to hospital when he got back but we didn’t think it was anything serious.

"You just wouldn’t believe it.”

Six years ago Mr Hunter’s sister, Sally, died at the age of 50 after suffering from cancer.

His father, Rodney, died in 2008 at the age of 91 while his mother, Sheila, 88, still lives in Alnmouth, Northumberland.

Mr Hunter, who was born in Hartlepool and grew up in Morpeth, Northumberland, met Sue in London more than 30 years ago when they worked for the same hotel.

Over the past thirty years the couple had travelled around the country before Mr Hunter returned to the North-East to take up a string of jobs at some of the region’s finest hotels.

Grandmother to Corbin, five, Mrs Hunter, who is the manager at Guyzance Hall, in Northumberland, said: “We had a perfectly normal week after we returned from Turkey.

“It was just so sudden and that’s why it’s so shocking.

“He was just the kindest person you could possibly meet.

"He never panicked about anything – he was so calm.

"He was a fantastic grandfather and father.

"For 32 years we’ve been married and I couldn’t have asked for anybody better.

"I don’t think we’ve had a major row in all that time.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better person to be with, he was just my best friend.

“Anybody who has ever come across him is just totally devastated.

“It’s dreadful for me but I know how hard it is for all my family and friends.

"We are still all trying to come to terms with it – I keep thinking he might still come through the door.

“I’m so grateful to the staff and all the people at the hospital.

"They were all just absolutely fantastic.”

Mr Hunter helped form the Northumberland Tourism organisation and has been praised for helping to develop the region’s tourism industry.

He spent his entire career working for some of the UK’s foremost hotels including the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland and the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne.

He spent eight years at Matfen Hall Hotel.

During his time there, the hotel was awarded both Best Large Hotel in the UK and Most Considerate Hotel in England.

Last night Giles Ingram, chief executive of Northumberland Tourism, said: “He was extremely well respected and did wonderful things for the region.

"He really put the North East on the map.

“More than that though, he was a lovely man and everyone who he worked with had the utmost respect for him.

"They were genuinely fond of him and he was a particularly warm individual.”

A celebration of Mr Hunter’s life will take place next Monday at St John the Baptist Church in Alnmouth, Northumberland, from 11am.