Derry student among victims of Thai crash

A HOLIDAY of a lifetime turned to tragedy for 22-year-old Derry student, Aaron Toland, after it was officially confirmed yesterday that he was among the victims of Sunday’s air crash in Thailand which claimed at least 89 lives.

Three other Irish tourists on board the ill-fated flight remain in hospital on the Thai holiday island of Phuket, including Mr Toland’s best friend, Chris Cooley, who is in a serious but stable condition.

The other two Irish passengers also receiving treatment for their injuries are John Gerard O’Donnell, 26, from Liscannor, Co Clare, and his friend, William Bourke, 23, from Nenagh, Co Tipperary.