BA crewman found dead during layover in Johannesburg with 'no visible injuries'

Police in South Africa are investigating after a member of British Airways ’ cabin crew was found dead after a night out in Johannesburg.

Robert Gay, 52, had enjoyed a meal out in the city after arriving on a flight from London Heathrow.

During the night out he became separated from the group and was found unconscious.

Paramedics worked to save his life but he sadly died.

Initial reports said he had no “visible injuries” and police are investigating, according to the Sun on Sunday.

A source said: “It appears he was walking back to crew hotel and got separated from his friends and was found dead at 4am on February 5.

The BA cabin crew member was found unconscious and paramedics were unable to save him (Getty Images)

“It is suspected that the cause of death was a heart attack, although the full post mortem results are awaited.”

Cabin crews from the airline are said to have previously reported attacks during layovers.

A spokesman for BA said they are helping colleagues affected by Mr Gay’s sudden death.

They added: “We're deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts and sincere condolences are with our colleague's family and friends at this sad time.

“We're providing support to all of our colleagues that may be affected by this sad news.”

Earlier this year Numbeo, the world's largest cost of living database, named Johannesburg as the seventh most dangerous destination in the world.

A spokesman for BA said they are supporting colleagues affected by his death (Getty Images)

It was behind only Caracas, Venezuela, Celaya, Mexico, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg (both in South Africa), and San Pedro Sula in Honduras.

Last year shopkeepers fired at looters and a woman had to throw her baby from the roof of a burning shopping mall as South Africa spiralled into anarchy following the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma.

Dozens of people died in the country’s worst outbreak of widespread violence since the end of apartheid.

The death toll includes 10 people trampled in a stampede during looting on Monday night at a shopping centre in Soweto, the country’s biggest township.

Almost 800 people have been arrested in the unrest after 79-year-old Zuma was jailed for failing to cooperate with a corruption probe.