Grant Harrison, British Backpacker, Electrocuted By Fridge In Thailand

British Backpacker Electrocuted After Reaching For Bottle Of Water

A British backpacker is believed to have been electrocuted as he reached into a fridge for a bottle of water.

Grant Harrison, 36, died on 6 January, while staying on the island of Koh Phangan, Thailand, a spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said.

Friends of Harrison said he suffered a fatal shock as he reached for the drink while relaxing by the side of a pool.

The Middlesbrough football fan was a regular contributor to the club supporters' fanzine Fly Me To The Moon and often posted on their website under the pseudonym Grantus.

He also played in their annual charity football match in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, according to friends who posted on the website.

Hundreds of messages of condolence were left on the fanzine's online message board following news of Harrison's death.

A friend posting under the pseudonym Lisbonlegend said Harrison had told him he was going travelling over New Year after being made redundant for the third time.

He said: "He was relaxing by the pool, decided to go for a bottle of water and it cost him his life. He was a brilliant character, a fantastic friend."

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said it was providing consular assistance to the next of kin.

Harrison had moved to London from Stokesley, just outside Middlesbrough, a few years ago, friends said.