TRIBUTES have been paid to a British pilot who drowned off a Benidorm beach.
Robbie Conington, 30, has been named as the tourist who died after getting into difficulties when he took an evening dip in the sea with two friends late last Friday.
Today he was described as a “spark that ignited every room he entered” by his bosses.
Another pal called him an “incredible aviator, great friend and all-round great guy.”
News of the holiday tragedy first emerged at the weekend when Spanish police confirmed a British tourist’s body had been recovered.
They said he had gone into the sea with two friends who returned to Benidorm’s Levante Beach unharmed.
The alarm was raised around 8.30pm last Friday by witnesses who said they had seen one of the three men being swept out by the choppy waters.
Coastguards were called in to search for the missing man before his body was discovered later that night near Benidorm’s Sailing Club.
Robbie, from Biggin Hill, Kent, said on an online profile he had clocked up more than 1,300 total flying time but also worked in aircraft sales.
The adventure-loving Brit posted footage of himself on social media last November showing him parachuting out of a plane alongside the message: “Jumping into my thirties head first.”
Robbie was working for US-based Lone Mountain Aircraft when he died.
The company said in a social media tribute: “Lone Mountain Aircraft is profoundly saddened to share the news of the loss of a dear member of our sales team, gone far too soon.
“Robbie Conington, age 30 years old, was tragically taken from us in a non-aviation related accident while on vacation in Spain last Friday.
“Your prayers and thoughts toward Robbie’s surviving family and friends are greatly appreciated.
“He was a spark that ignited every room he entered and will be sorely missed by his Lone Mountain family.”
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