Brave John was a brother to be proud of

Oct 16 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

RELATIVES of a Solihull man who drowned in Thailand while saving his fiance's life today paid tribute to him, saying: "He died trying to do the right thing".

John Cullen, aged 24, of Warwick Road, Solihull, was described as a "bright, passionate young man who embraced life".

His 21-year-old fiancee, Helena, was today due to return to her detached family home in Pinfold Road, Solihull, according to her father John Carroll.

John, who worked as a director at his family asbestos removal firm, J Cullen Thermals Ltd, in Deakin Avenue, Witton, Birmingham, was swept to his death after helping Helena on to a ledge and then swimming off for help in the Tham Nam Thalu caves, in Thailand's Khao Sok national park.

John's elder brother Stephen said the pair were "very much in love" and praised his brother's actions.

"John was a son and brother to be proud of," said Stephen.

"He had his whole life in front of him. John died trying to do the right thing, and he was brave and courageous in his actions.

"He was a bright, passionate young man who embraced life.

"The family are very proud, but devastated by their loss. John and Helena were very much in love and John spent the last few weeks of his life sharing some wonderful experiences."

Stephen added that John loved sport, played golf to a high level and was a keen Aston Villa supporter.

John lived with his mother Val, who has to be notified of his death while on a cruise. His father died two years ago.

He was one of eight people killed when water washed away a party of tourists as they explored the cave in the south of Thailand on Saturday.

Helena survived by clinging to a ledge for 16 hours while John, two Thai guides, a Swiss family of four and a 10-year-old German boy died in the raging waters.

Helena's parents, John and Carole Carroll, who also have two sons Adam and Timothy, said their daughter was "bearing up" and were looking forward to her being home.

Neighbour June Purden said: "I saw Helena around the time of her 21st birthday in March. She was so excited because she was going off for 12 months with her boyfriend."

An official report concluded today that the two guides had ignored a warning from the Tourist Authority of Thailand not to enter the tunnel.

The guides had apparently been told of the danger of flash flooding during the monsoon period, currently at its peak in south-east Asia.