Hundreds of mourners will pay their respects this week to the Halesowen sailor killed in an explosion on board a nuclear submarine.
The funeral of submariner Paul “Tinny” McCann will take place at St John’s Parish Church, in High Street, Halesowen, at 1pm on Thursday.
The 32-year-old died on board HMS Tireless while on exercise in the Arctic last month.
Members of the Royal Navy will play a prominent part in the funeral ceremony and both the High Street and Queensway will be closed from 11am until 2.30pm to allow for the large number of mourners.
Nearby car parks and parking lay-bys will be reserved for mourners and the funeral cortege, while bus services will be diverted to the section of Queensway between Hagley Road and Grange Road for the period of the road closure.
Following the funeral, the cortege will proceed to Stourbridge Crematorium.
Close friend Scott Spragg, from Sedgley, spoke of his devastation at Mr McCann’s death. Mr Spragg, who was not one of the 130 members of the submarine’s 170-man crew sailing at the time, said: “It’s hard to take.”
The accident also killed 20-year-old Anthony Huntrod of Sunderland.
One Comment
It is hard to put into words how much my heart aches for everyone that knew Paul. He was to be my brother-in-law. The recent trip that he had made hear to the States shortly before he passed will be remembered fondly. Though my wife and her family knew him since he was very little, unfortunately, my time spent around him was brief. Yet, from the day I met Paul, I knew that he was a special person and why everyone was so fond of him. I was looking forward to having him as part of the family. Paul, a piece of you will live on in every person you have touched. Look after us brother. God Bless.