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Town rallies round soldier family | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A soldier from Coleraine, County Londonderry, has died after contracting swine flu in England. | |
It is thought Lee Porter, a bombardier in the Royal Artillery, is the first UK serviceman to have died from the virus. | It is thought Lee Porter, a bombardier in the Royal Artillery, is the first UK serviceman to have died from the virus. |
Reverend Peter Fleming of Coleraine First Presbyterian Church said the town has rallied around the Porter family. | |
"Lee was pretty involved in the community, in his work in the Fire Service and with the Army Cadet and Territorial Army," he said. | |
"He gave a lot of time to people and served in the community." | |
The 30-year-old died in a Surrey hospital last Friday, two weeks after falling sick. It is understood he had underlying health problems. | The 30-year-old died in a Surrey hospital last Friday, two weeks after falling sick. It is understood he had underlying health problems. |
Rev Fleming said Mr Porter's parents had been in the US when they had heard the news that he was ill. | |
"They had to return to the south of England to be with him in hospital," he said. | |
"It's been exhausting, and now with this shock and bereavement they are having a very difficult and very hard time adjusting to unexpected loss of their son." | |
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "Our thoughts go out to his family, who were at his bedside." | In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "Our thoughts go out to his family, who were at his bedside." |
He is the 28th person known to have died after getting swine flu in England. Three people have died in Scotland. | He is the 28th person known to have died after getting swine flu in England. Three people have died in Scotland. |
Last week health officials said there were indications the number of swine flu cases in England is no longer rising rapidly and may have "plateaued." | Last week health officials said there were indications the number of swine flu cases in England is no longer rising rapidly and may have "plateaued." |
However, England's Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said he expected an upsurge later in the year. | However, England's Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said he expected an upsurge later in the year. |
"I think we are probably seeing a downturn in the illness at the moment but we don't anticipate it staying away," he said. | "I think we are probably seeing a downturn in the illness at the moment but we don't anticipate it staying away," he said. |
"We expect to see a big surge in autumn." | "We expect to see a big surge in autumn." |
Northern Ireland is the area of the UK least affected by swine flu. | Northern Ireland is the area of the UK least affected by swine flu. |