British tourist's wife dies from broken neck in horror ‘jumping balloon’ accident at Philippines resort

The wife of a British tourist was killed when she landed on her head while bouncing on an inflatable sea attraction at a resort in the Philippines.

Mother-of-two Catherine Egam Mcewan, 43, from Cagayan de Oro City, tried out the 'jumping balloon' activity during her holiday trip with her husband Ken Mcewan and their children in Olango Island in Cebu province, on July 11.

Footage shows Catherine lying at one end of the inflatable jetty before a staff member lands on the other - launching several feet into the air.

However, instead of plunging into the water with a splash as expected, Catherine upside down slammed head-first back onto the balloon surface, cracking her neck and rolling into the sea.

Lifeguards waited for her to resurface, but when she remained motionless underwater, worker Jay Paul Ontong, 21, rushed to drag her back to shore near the the Pinky's Floating Cottage resort, which operated the attraction.

Catherine was taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, where she remained in a coma until her passing on July 19.

Devastated husband Ken, a tech specialist from Edinburgh who is now based in Singapore, posted a tribute picture online of him with Catherine and their two children.

Police citing her death certificate said she died of a 'spinal injury due to extreme water sports'.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has issued a cease-and-desist order on Pinky's Floating Cottage on July 21.

He said: 'We closed down the attraction immediately after the death of the visitor.

'There will be a meeting next week to all operators to discuss the details of the current up includes the safety practices.'

Meanwhile, the resort manager said all visitors are given instructions before trying the jumping balloon activity.

The resort owners have vowed to shoulder Catherine's medical and burial expenses. They did not respond to requests for comment today.