A COATBRIDGE dad and his partner have been left “utterly devastated” after their toddler fell to his death from a balcony in the Algarve.

Eighteen-month-old Spencer died on Saturday in what a family friends described as a “freak accident.”

Robert Devlin, 32, and Holly Bishop, 28, from Perth in Australia, set up home in Portugal three years ago after which they welcomed addition Spencer into the family.

The tot fell seven metres from the window of the second-floor apartment he lived in with his mum and dad in Lagos.

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Friend Tammy Dower explained the events that led up to the tragic accident.

She told Australian media Holly had opened the window in Spencer’s room to let is some air.

Going about her chores, she noticed she couldn’t hear him in his room. When she saw the window fully open, she feared the worst and ran to look outside.

Tammy said: “She saw little Spencer on the ground with people surrounding him and she ran straight down the stairs to him.

“His breathing was very laboured but he was breathing. The ambulance was called immediately.

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“Holly was distraught trying to communicate with the authorities, as she is in a country where English is not the first language spoken.”

Spencer was rushed to hospital in nearby Faro but later died.

“It was a freak accident that could happen to any of us in a split second,” Tammy said, according to PerthNow.

She set up a GoFundMe page for the couple with the aim of raising $5,000 (£2,783), a target which was smashed within hours.

Tammy wrote of Rob and Holly: “Their little baby boy Spencer had a tragic accident and was taken to Faro Hospital in Portugal where they did all they could for him. Unfortunately, he just couldn’t fight any longer and their beautiful baby boy grew his little wings and left all of his family behind.

“They are beyond devastated and would like to let everyone know but, at the moment, would just like some time to come to terms with their loss and be around family.

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“I am setting this page up to help take the stress of the funeral and other bills away so they can grieve the loss of their little boy properly.

“I have known Holly and her family for years and, by doing this, it will help them out.

“It honestly breaks my heart in a million pieces for Holly and her family.

“The funds raised will be going directly into Holly’s mum’s account which Holly has access to. Her mum is over there with her and Rob.

“Any funds not used will get donated to the children’s hospital where Spencer was.

“Rest in peace, Spencer. God bless you.”

If you want to donate, visit gofundme.com/little-spencer-taken-way-to-soon.