Ulsterman dies in speedboat horror
abroad
By Michael McHugh
AN Ulsterman working in Iran has died after being
struck by a speed boat.
Brian James Collins died from a swimming accident off Kish Island
in the Persian Gulf near Dubai.
The 44-year-old from Lisburn was working as a drilling
co-ordinator on an oil rig at the time of his death.
The Iranian island, ten miles off the coast of the mainland, had
been his home for the past two years.
He worked five-week periods on the island, known as the pearl of
the Persian Gulf, before spending another five weeks with his family
in Ulster.
Mr Collins, who has experience working in similar rigs in Canada
and Scotland, had flown back early after spending Christmas with his
wife and two sons, aged eight and four, in Lisburn.
The family runs the Niagara restaurant chain, the oldest fish and
chip shops in Lisburn.
Mr Collins was swimming with another man, who managed to dive out
of the way of the boat, which was being piloted by two young people.
The family were informed of the tragedy on New Year's Eve and Mr
Collins' body is expected home on Sunday or Monday.
The funeral service will take place at Railway Street
Presbyterian Church in Lisburn.
Local minister the Rev Brian Gibson will be conducting the
service.
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