Brit dad-of-three cancer survivor, 58, collapses and dies in a Goa gym while on holiday celebrating getting the all clear
Devastated friends and family spoke of their shock and upset at the 'popular' dad's tragic death abroad
TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a British holidaymaker and cancer survivor who suddenly died while travelling in India.
Dad-of-three Paul Atkinson, 58, from Lancashire, collapsed in a gym in Goa on March 25 - where he had joined last month and frequently visited.
Although an ambulance was called, paramedics pronounced him dead when they arrived.
Paul became a keen traveller after fighting and beating a brain tumour found in his pituitary gland in 2014.
The pub landlord and former ice cream man had been staying at a guest house in the Maddowado Calangute area of Goa - where he had been living for some months.
What is the pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland is about the size of a pea at the base of the brain and regulates several physiological processes
Its hormones help control growth, blood pressure, certain functions of the sex organs, thyroid glands and metabolism as well as some aspects of pregnancy, temperature regulation and pain relief.
Local police Inspector Jivba Dalvi said: "Paul Gerard Atkinson, collapsed possibly due to a heart attack but we are waiting for the intelligence report to know the exact cause of death."
Devastated friends and family spoke of their shock and upset at the "popular" dad's tragic death abroad.
His cousin Dianne Russell posted on Facebook: "What a very very sad weekend. I have lost not only my cousin but a lovable dear friend Paul Atkinson, gone way too soon, night night God bless Cuz."
Susan Moli, who knew Paul, wrote: "Shocked and deeply saddened. Paul Atkinson, top lad, you'll be missed massively. Rest in Peace.
"He was there for a lot of people, big heart and a great guy."
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Uenkata Reddy, Paul's friend of 30 years and restaurant boss, said: "He was a true friend, not a bad bone in his body. I loved him to pieces."
In 2014, the Tottenham Hotspur fan was diagnosed with a tumour in his pituitary gland but did not let it stop him from going to see the World Cup finals that year in Brazil.
Waiting for the results of a brain scan the he said at the time: "I've got a meeting with the neurosurgeon lined up.
"If it is good news I'm going to Rio and if it is bad news I'm going to Rio - life is too short!"
The British High Commission in New Dehli was informed of the incident and has contacted Paul's family.
Paul is survived by his daughter Natalie and sons Jordan and Joshua.
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