Was He Wearing A Helmet ?

[eric1000]

Diver killed in Thai bike crash

TRAGEDY - Neil had everything to live for.

DEEP sea diver and adventurer Neil McLoughlin, who was tragically killed in a motorbike accident in Thailand, had told his devoted parents he didn’t want to get to their age and have any regrets.

As Henbury couple Terry and Marjorie grieve for their ‘model’ son – a passionate Manchester United fan and sports all-rounder – they admitted proudly that he had managed to fit more into his 28 years than both of them put together.

Holding back tears Marjorie, 61, said she had spoken to Neil, a former King’s School pupil, just two hours before he died on May 22.

She had been to Cardiff to watch Manchester United play Millwall in the FA Cup final and was on her way home when she heard the tragic news of Neil’s death.

"On the last day of his life Neil went to a bar in Koh Samui to watch Manchester United play. He was so happy, jumping up and down, enjoying the occasion," said Marjorie, a teacher at Alderley Edge School for Girls.

"He and I are both big United supporters and I was at the match with his schoolfriend John. I was chatting to Neil so many times that day on the phone. The last time I spoke to him was at 6.30pm."

Marjorie was travelling by coach back to home when her mobile rang and it was Neil’s diving colleague, Roger, from Thailand.

"He told me there had been an accident and that Neil was dead. I didn’t tell anyone on the coach but I phoned my husband."

Neil had been on his motorbike with a girlfriend when they were in a head on collision with another motorbike.

Neil was killed outright – as was the other motorcyclist – and his friend Nadine was seriously injured but she is recovering and is due back home to the UK.

It was Roger – Neil’s diving colleague and friend – who sent an email which will be read out at Neil’s funeral which ended like this: "The only positive thing I can say at this moment is that Neil died among friends, happy and buzzing with joy over Manchester United’s great victory and with a beautiful girl on the back of his motorbike."

"That is a great way to check out of this world on the way to the next adventure..."

Marjorie and Terry, 65, and the rest of the family, Paul 31, and twin sisters Anne and Nicola, 25, are trying to come to terms with the death of a young man, who was so lively, and lived for his sport and girlfriends.

Marjorie said: "Neil was such a popular boy. His friends are all devastated. We want to say thank you to everyone who has been in touch. We have had hundreds of cards and people have said such lovely things about him."

The family even had a letter from Neil’s former Scout leader.

Neil was a member of most of the sports teams at school and would spend his weekends playing rugby and football.

He studied sport at Birmingham University and it was when he was travelling with his friend Tom after they graduated that he fell in love with Thailand.

He came back to the UK but left for Thailand again in June 2002 with the aim of training to become a diving instructor.

Marjorie said: "When he went back he said to us ‘I don’t want to get to your age and have any regrets’. He had a great spirit of adventure. He loved diving and was a natural in the water."

Neil’s diving friends are making a memorial plaque which will read: ‘It’s not how long you live, it’s how much you live.’

This will be placed 120ft beneath the secret pinnacle at Sail Rock which was Neil’s favourite dive site. His brother Paul is travelling to Koh Samui to be at the memorial ceremony.

His sister Nicola has also named a star after Neil, in the constellation of Pisces Austrinus, which is also known as the Southern Fish, an apt name for someone who spent so much time in the water.

Neil had spent ten weeks at home at Christmas and was due back in the UK in September when he was about to start a teacher training course at Manchester University, following in his mother’s footsteps.

Marjorie and Terry were due to visit their son in July and Neil was looking forward to seeing them.

His dad said: "He was hardworking, sensible and conscientious. He would have made a good teacher."

Marjorie said: "I feel a very privileged mother. He was just gorgeous. he never gave us a day’s trouble. He filled his life with fun and was extremely popular because he made everyone laugh. He was a model son."

Neil’s funeral is today (Wednesday) at 3pm at Macclesfield Crematorium. His ashes and a plaque will be placed at Henbury Church.

[stroll]

Poor Neil...

You made some effort to copy this straight out of 'News of the World'.

How come, didn't find any meat last night?

[maerim]

wonder who the other victim was ??

As in, no British hurt but 238 Peruvians killed and thousands injured in earthquake.

[astral]

Riding a motorcycle in Thailand is pretty close to trying to commit suicide

[fatter than harry]

It's good to see so much sympathy here whats the matter? Have we been in Thailand too long? Have our hearts turned cold? or are we too busy looking after our own to be at least civil to a sad story.

Shame on us.

[maerim]

"On the last day of his life Neil went to a bar in Koh Samui to watch Manchester United play. He was so happy, jumping up and down, enjoying the occasion," said Marjorie, a teacher at Alderley Edge School for Girls.

My sympathies to all concerned it would be nice to know though what Neil had been drinking to make him "jump up and down" or is that too much to ask?

Perhaps when Nadine who presumably is less beautiful than before the terrible accident can let us know in the fullness of time.

Still no news of the other person who also is dead.

[KevinN]

"On the last day of his life Neil went to a bar in Koh Samui to watch Manchester United play. He was so happy, jumping up and down, enjoying the occasion," said Marjorie, a teacher at Alderley Edge School for Girls.

My sympathies to all concerned it would be nice to know though what Neil had been drinking to make him "jump up and down" or is that too much to ask?

Perhaps when Nadine who presumably is less beautiful than before the terrible accident can let us know in the fullness of time.

Still no news of the other person who also is dead.

Just what in the HelI is the matter with you!!! Do you really think that you are terribly FUNNY??

[stroll]

[maerim]

Do you really think that you are terribly FUNNY?? 

As a matter of fact yes I do.

So had Neil been knocking the pop at the bar or not if so was he drunk?

Still no news of the other person who was killed so I assume he or she was Thai and they don't count of course.

Do they?

I find it very sad that people come here and do things that they would not dream of doing in their own countries and as a for instance drinking and driving, riding a motorbike sans helmet, driving or riding a motor vehicle with no license or insurance.

I could go on but the point has been made.