Corby man dies in horrific New Year accident in Thailand

Gary McLaren, 50, who went to Our Lady and Pope John School in Corby, is reported to have died at around midnight while seeing in the new year with friends and his fiancée on the east coast of Thailand.

Witnesses told the local paper The Pattaya News there that the firework he was trying to light exploded in his face.

Mr McLaren worked in MotoGP and had been a Data Acquisition Engineer at Suzuki for 11-years before joining IRTA- the international road racing teams association.

He had also previously worked for Kettering-based C&K Switches.

The official MotoGP Twitter account sent a message of condolence, saying: “ Terrible news this morning. Our colleague and friend, Gary McLaren from IRTA passed away last night. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. He will be sorely missed.”

And BT Sport Moto GP tweeted this afternoon: “Everyone at BT Sport is saddened to hear the news of the passing of Gary McLaren. A beloved member of the MotoGP paddock.”

After leaving OLPJ in Corby, he went on to Tresham College to study electrical and mechanical engineering.

Friends in Corby described him as an ‘absolute gentleman’.

He is believed to have lived abroad and, along with his partner, visited Kettering for a festive visit just before Christmas.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand.”