Man killed instantly as firecracker he was trying to light explodes in his face at midnight on New Year's Eve
A British man died at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day as a tube of fireworks exploded in his face while he was trying to light them. The man sustained the fatal injuries while celebrating New Year with his fiancee.
Gary McLaren, 50, of Corby, Northamptonshire, had been partying with his Thai fiancee Jasmine at the Miami Go Go bar in Pattaya, eastern Thailand, on December 31 when the tragic incident happened, according to the Daily Mail.
As the stroke of midnight neared, McLaren reportedly stepped outside the bar to light a 50 cm cardboard tube packed with fireworks. His first attempt to light the fireworks failed, and unfortunately, his second succeeded.
Smoke started billowing out of the tube and the fireworks exploded in his face as midnight struck, much to the horror of Jasmine. Police and medics responded to the scene and performed chest compressions on the 50-year-old. However, he could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene.
A heartbreaking video captured at the scene shows Jasmine weeping and hugging the lifeless shroud-covered body.
She later confirmed McLaren's death on Facebook, writing, "This is [our] last picture honey, you will be in my heart forever babe. RIP Gary McLaren."
One of the friends of the deceased also paid tribute, posting, "RIP my brother Gary McLaren. You were like a brother to me & I’ll always be forever grateful plus in your debt for everything you’ve done for me and my son Corey Parsons. Rest in total peace my bro but you’ve been taken from us way way too early. Love ya buddy."
Mike Cooperman, an American-born bar owner in Pattaya, uploaded a picture of McLaren where Jasmine could be seen proposing to him inside a snooker bar.
"I will always remember how happy you were that night. RIP Gary, a good friend, and brother," he wrote. "Jasmine please accept our deepest condolences. If you need anything please let us know."
Police captain Nakhonrat Nontseelard said the British embassy in Bangkok had been informed of McLaren's death. His body has been taken to a hospital for postmortem.