Holidaymaker killed by bin truck

Faliraki is among Greece's most popular resorts

A holidaymaker from south Wales who died under the wheels of a dustbin truck in Rhodes may have been involved in a dare.

Matthew Benney, 29, from Dunvant, near Swansea, may have gone under the truck for a bet, witnesses to the accident in the resort of Faliraki said.

He died of a haemorrhage in hospital on Tuesday after he was run over by the lorry just after 2200 local time on Monday.

Authorities said they were investigating witness accounts that Mr Benney had run under the truck deliberately as part of a bet with friends.

The man who was killed was on foot and the truck hit him Greek police spokesman

A police officer in Faliraki said tests were under way but it would be some time before it could be established if drinking played a part in the accident.

The truck driver was arrested after the incident but was later freed without being charged.

A police officer on Rhodes said: "The man who was killed was on foot and the truck hit him.

"He was taken to hospital in Rhodes.

Devastated

"Two of his friends were with him and they gave statements, then were allowed to go."

The officer said Mr Benney was staying in an apartment in central Faliraki with a group of friends.

The accident happened outside the Apollon Beach hotel.

A family spokesman in Swansea they were devastated by Mr Benney's death.

He added they were awaiting more details of the accident.

British consul staff are investigating the incident with the Greek authorities.

Consular help

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "I can confirm he was killed in an accident involving a refuse truck."

Mr Benney's next of kin have been informed. The Foreign Office has offered consular help.

The past four years has seen the village of Faliraki become one of Europe's most popular resorts.

It gained notoriety following the ITV1 show Club Reps, that followed the night-time exploits of Club 18-30 tourists.

Rhodes is the third most popular holiday destination in Greece.

The Greek National Tourism Organisation said 430,000 UK tourists visited Rhodes in 2002.