Cork father drowns in Thailand

A Corkman has drowned in a diving accident at the island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand.

Colin Callanan, 29, from Innishannon, West Cork, who has a six-year-old son, had been on business in Thailand prior to the tragic accident at the weekend.

A project manager with Australian company AMS services and maintenance, Mr Callanan, who is based in Perth, had been researching a project on behalf of AMS.

The company services industrial air conditioning units.

He decided to go diving during his time off.

It was unclear yesterday how the accident happened or whether Mr Callanan was alone at the time.

His body has been recovered.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said they were “providing consular assistance” to the family.

Mr Callanan had been living in Perth for six years. He is survived by his son Lee, who lives in Ireland, and by his mother Marie, father Donal, brothers Keith and Simon, and sisters Sarah and Julie.

Details were being finalised yesterday in relation to bringing Mr Callanan’s body home.

Mr Callanan’s family was alerted to the tragedy by the Thai police.

Mr Callanan attended Scoil Eoin primary school in Innishannon, followed by secondary school at St Brogan’s College in Bandon.

He played underage football and hurling and had played soccer with Knockavilla.

The island of Koh Tao is north of the better-known holiday destination island of Koh Samui.

Koh Tao is 700km from Bangkok, has a population of 1,500 and is approximately 21 square kilometres in size.

It is famous for its sea turtles and as a destination for snorkelling and swimming.