DAD of three who collapsed minutes after getting off an aeroplane has died after his devastated family took the agonising decision to switch off his life-support machine. Mark Dowson, who was just 32, collapsed as his family watched on in horror while waiting for their bags in the arrivals lounge of Majorca's Palma airport last Thursday.

He was rushed to the Policlínica Miramar private hospital. But at the weekend his distraught wife, Sonya, 30, was told her first love and husband of 12 years would not wake from a coma. His loving family took the agonising decision last night to switch off his life-support machine, having initially tried to keep his organs functioning for donor purposes. Mark's mum, Susan Price, 51, who is on holiday with the family, said: "This was supposed to be a happy family holiday, but all me and Sonya have done is take it in turns crying.

"The children are devastated and keep asking if their dad's really dead. "It's heartbreaking." The distraught family, of Horden, are still staying at the Alcudia Pins resort following the tragedy. Now they have an anxious wait to find out when his body will be returned home. "We will stay until we can go home with Mark," said Susan. "It doesn't matter if it will cost us more, the money doesn't matter because we love him."

Mark, who worked as a steward in Horden Victory Club, jetted off last Thursday for two weeks in the sun with his mum, wife and three children, Amy, 12, Chloe, 10, and Tyler, five. They were determined to enjoy themselves after their original holiday to Lanzarote fell victim to the XL collapse – costing them more than £2,000. But now Mark's wife and mum are taking it in turns each day to keep the children's spirits up while the other makes a £100 round-trip to the hospital to find out what is happening.

Mark has a brother, John, 18, and sister Christina Dowson, 34, who says they were all excited about the trip after putting the XL collapse behind them. Christina, who lives in Blackhills Terrace, Horden, and works for npower in Peterlee, said: "Mark was a great dad and couldn't wait to go with the kids, but now we just want them all back. "It's heartbreaking because Mark was Sonya's first love. They met very young and couldn't be happier together. She is absolutely devastated by it all. "All I want to do is give her a hug and be there for all of them."

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are in contact with the hospital and are providing consular assistance to the family."


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