Tributes paid to victim of Thailand fall tragedy

Tributes paid to victim of Thailand fall tragedy

17 July 2013

TRIBUTES have been paid to a young Carryduff man who died after falling off a rooftop in Thailand.

Stephen Clifford, described as a “true gentleman”, was on holiday in the city of Chaing Mai with a group of friends when the tragedy occurred late on Sunday evening.

The circumstances of the 21 year-old’s fatal fall have yet to be confirmed but it is understood he died instantly after falling from the rooftop of a building, accessed from a first floor balcony.

Stephen had been in the country with a group of friends since the end of May.  A HND business student at Belfast Met, he is also a former pupil of St. Patrick’s Grammar School in Downpatrick.

A family notice for the Clifford family states Stephen was an “adored son” of parents Rory and Kate and a “much loved brother” to Rory and sister Sian. Funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed.

The principal of St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Sean Sloan, said Stephen was a “quiet, unassuming student who was well respected by staff and popular with the students”.

“He was a very talented student academically particularly in ICT, business studies and politics,” said Mr. Sloan.

“Our hearts go out to his parents Rory and Kate and his brother Rory and sister Sian at this terrible time.”

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said the thoughts and prayers of the people of South Down were with the Clifford family.

“I know the tight knit community of St. Patrick’s is very sad to lose one of its pupils and I hope the whole community will stand by the family at this very difficult time,” she said. “The loss of a young life is always hard to bear, but particularly so when under such tragic circumstances.”

Over the past three years Stephen has worked as a presenter on Blast106’s Blast Xtra station, which serves the student and youth community of Greater Belfast. A spokesman for the station said yesterday: “We wake up to tragic news this morning that one of our Blast106/Blast Xtra volunteers has died following an accident while on holiday in Thailand.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Clifford family.”

Messages expressing shock at his death have also flooded on to Stephen’s Facebook page.

One read: “Genuine gentleman Steven, never met a nicer guy in my life. So sad to hear this happened to u. u will be missed so much”.

Another said: “Can’t believe this has happened you were one of the good ones! You will be severely missed. Sending my prayers. RIP chief”.

One friend recalled Stephen making preparations for his holiday: “You were such an amazing person, so lovely! A true gentleman. Last time I seen you, you were in the GPs getting all your injections for Thailand. So sad, you will be greatly missed! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. RIP”

One simply read: “R.I.P. Steve Clifford. U were always a gentleman and will be greatly missed”.