US airport death of tourist, 32

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A 32-year-old man died in an airport departure lounge as he made his way home from a holiday in the US state of Florida with his two brothers.

Darran Burnett suffered a suspected heart attack at Orlando International Airport.

He was due to fly home to Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, after the three-week theme park break.

His mother Lesley Seymour said: "They'd been planning the holiday for 12 months and were so looking forward to it."

Mr Burnett went on the holiday with his brothers, Daniel, 19, and David, 35, and phoned home to tell his parents that it "was wonderful".

But after checking in at the airport and clearing security, he collapsed in the departure lounge while waiting to board a flight to Bristol on 15 October.

Airport emergency staff and medics fought in vain to save Mr Burnett, from the Rhydyfelin area of Pontypridd, but he was declared dead.

The last time I saw Darran he went through the door with his brothers, laughing, smiling and happy Lesley Seymour, mother

Mrs Seymour, 57, of Llantwit Fardre, near Pontypridd, said: "Darran said it was a wonderful holiday with his brothers - he was so happy.

"The boys were all so close, they did everything together. But only two came back, not three."

The trio spent their break visiting Universal film studios in Orlando and the Busch Gardens theme park in nearby Tampa Bay.

Mr Burnett's flew home alone the day after he died.

"Dan and David were traumatised, they didn't know what to do," she said.

"The last time I saw Darran he went through the door with his brothers, laughing, smiling and happy."

'Feeling unwell'

Mrs Seymour said Darran had not been feeling well a couple of days before they were due to leave America.

A post-mortem examination in Florida revealed Mr Burnett died from natural causes.

Mrs Seymour believes her middle son could have been affected by the heat, as temperatures in Orlando were hitting 85F (29C).

"Maybe it could have been the heat - it was really hot out there," she said.

Divorcee Mr Burnett was a care support worker with Rhondda Cynon Taf council before suffering a 30ft plunge from a bridge four years ago.

The impact broke nearly every bone in his body and he spent eight months in hospital.

Mr Burnett was left in a wheelchair but still hosted Bible study classes at his home. His funeral takes place on Thursday.