Brit policewoman, 22, dies in Greek seaside village after being 'plied with toxic booze'

A 22-year-old British policewoman died while holidaying at a tourist hotspot on the Greek island of Corfu.

The young officer, who lost her life on Friday, has not yet been named but it has been shared she was a member of the Surrey Police force.

The circumstances of her death are being investigated by Greek authorities, a Surrey Police spokesperson said.

The body of the woman was found in the early hours of September 1 - just hours after she had arrived at the holiday hotspot - on a side street in Kavos, the southernmost seaside village on the popular island. 

Coroner Ioannis Aivatidis claimed the police officer likely died from a "low level accidental fall", and her injuries didn't suggest she had been attacked. 

The expert said to have examined the young officer for "at least two and a half hours" on the road, telling the Mirror on the weekend: "I noted there was alcohol on her breath."

The coroner added he would be carrying out a full examination, including toxicology tests, on September 4.

Speaking with The Sun after the post-mortem examination on Monday, Mr Aivatidis speculated about the type of alcohol the woman may have drunk prior to her death.

After claiming she had died just "a few hours" after arriving in the area, he said: "There are questions as to what kind of alcohol she consumed."

He added: "Had it been illicitly tampered with? Was she so intoxicated because [illegal] methanol was in the alcoholic drinks she had consumed? The answer lies in the toxicology tests that will be carried out."

Authorities in Corfu announced on Sunday to have shut down 28 bars in Kavos after being found to have served people adulterated alcohol as well as mixed dregs of drinks clients hadn't finished. 

The coroner also claimed the young police officer had been killed by a "traumatic head injury", despite presenting also "fractures to her thorax, stomach and a small rupture of the spleen". 

He added he believed her death was "accidental".

Releasing a statement on Saturday, Surrey Police said about the member of their force: "Yesterday we were sadly made aware of the sudden death of a serving officer whilst they were on holiday in Corfu, Greece.

"We are working to support both their family and their colleagues here during this extremely difficult time. An investigation into the circumstances of the death is being led by the Greek authorities and we await further updates from them as they conduct their enquiries."

An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities."