An autopsy was carried out yesterday on the body of John Wilfred Quail, the 34-year-old Smith's Parish resident who died on Christmas Eve.

Police have ruled out foul-play and they would like to speak to anyone who may have been in the vicinity of Terceira's Gas station between 9.30 and 10.30 p.m. on Sunday, and may have seen one or two men in that area.

Mr. Quail came to the Island in 1996 to work at the Marketplace and left the Island briefly before starting work at Lindos Markets in Devonshire just over a year ago.

On Christmas Eve, Mr. Quail was hosting a party at his Cameron Close home in Smith's Parish, but left and followed a friend to the water some time after 10 p.m.

Police were called to the area shortly before 11 p.m. and the friend told them he heard the sound of someone falling from the shoreline about 15 feet into the water.

Officers arrived to find Bermuda Fire Service and King Edward VII Memorial Hospital ambulance crews pulling Mr. Quail out of the water just east of his home.

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was administered at the scene before he was taken to the hospital along with two other people whose injuries were not known.

Mr. Quail was from Downpatrick in Northern Ireland and had many friends on the Island.

President of Lindos Markets, Giorgio Zanol said that Mr. Quail was not only an employee of Lindos, but a friend as well.

Mr. Zanol said that Mr. Quail was always happy and laughing and that he would be sadly missed at the store.

Acting Sergeant Mark Clarke is handling the investigation and can be contacted at 293-1940.