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Tribute to tragic sub sailor
Friday 23rd March 2007, 12:00PM GMT.
A top navy officer today paid tribute to the Black Country sailor who died in an explosion aboard a nuclear submarine during an operation under the Arctic ice cap.
Paul McCann, aged 32, of Halesowen, was killed when an emergency oxygen device exploded aboard HMS Tireless during a joint Ango-American operation. Anthony Huntrod, aged 20, of Sunderland, also died.
A third sailor was airlifted to a hospital at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, by the Alaska Air National Guard. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Commanding officer of HMS Tireless, Commander Iain Breckenridge said his thoughts were with the families of the men who died.
In tribute to Leading Operator Mechanic (LOM) McCann, Commander Breckenridge said: “He was simply the kind of man a commanding officer could call on at any time and in any circumstances.”
Mr McCann was born on Christmas Day 1974 and joined the Royal Navy in November 2001. He joined HMS Tireless in June 2004 and deployed to the North Polar Ice Cap on March 2 this year.
He thrived on looking after the junior members of the ship’s company and would always be available for advice, the MoD Said.
Mr McCann was a keen sportsman who supported Birmingham City FC. He represented both his home team and the Royal Navy at cricket and played rugby for Plymouth Command and Old Halesowians.
His shipmates said he was considered a role model by his subordinates, who greatly appreciated his selfless participation and encouragement of their training and professional advancement.
Mr McCann was described by his mother Pauline, father Brian and sister Sharon as “a caring and gentle man who loved his family and was a great uncle to Indea and Lotte”.
His mother added she “couldn’t have wished for a better son.”
Mr McCann has recently become engaged to his fiancee Julie who lives in Philadelphia, United States, and had submitted his notice to leave the Navy to marry and move America.
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had the pleasure of knowing paul and attending many games with birmingham city particularly away games together with a group of lads during the 90′s.Lost touch due to paul pursuing his naval career and was shcoked and saddened to hear of his death.My thoughts and best wishes go to his family and girlfriend.Proper stand up lad who will be missed but remembered…keep right on paul
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I joined HMS Tireless in May 2004 and first met Paul (Tinny) Mccann when he joined the boat in june 2004, we quickly became good freinds and enjoyed the banter of football, i’m a Wolves fan and Paul is Birmingham city. He was a top fella always had a infectious smile and a wicked sense of humour, his heart was as big as his personality, one in a million. I was duty with him the night before the boat sailed from scotland and we talked for hours about his new life in America, we were going to keep in touch and meet up when i go to New york in 2011. To Paul’s parents,fiance, sister and family my deepest sympathy and condolences to you on this tragic loss. God bless Tinny keep right on fella.
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I first met Paul at Tenerfields Primary School then we were five. We were in the same form class all through high school at the Earls High School. Paul was a great classmate & friend. I remember his love for competitive sports and the fact that he was always up for a laugh. We lost contact after school but I’m deeply shocked by the news. My heart goes out to all his family & fiancee.
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After reading these tributes to Paul, I can only say what a wonderful guy he must have been, at times in our life we encounter people who really leave a mark on our lives, we know that knowing them has made our lives so much better, from these tributes Paul was one of these special people.
Paul, sadly I never knew you but I know that you would have bought boundless love, and quality of life to many, many people, you are the example of a wonderful human being that we all want to live up to.
Your parents can hold their heads up high and be proud that you were their son.
To the parents of Paul, you know he hasn’t died and gone forever, people like Paul are with us every day of our lives, wherever we go they are there with us, we still talk to them, we still see them, we still love them.
Jim and Carol
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I can’t begin to describe the loss that my family and I feel at this moment. We had the privilege of meeting the McCann family in Disney World, Florida when I was five and Paul was six. Through the years, we have developed a relationship that is like no other. Pauline and Brian are like parents to me and my sisters, Julie and Jennifer. With Paul and Sharon, we like five siblings instead of three. Indea and Lotte are like our nieces, too. We are deeply saddened by loss of a man who was more than anyone can fathom. His was gentle, kind, loving, caring, funny, and handsome both inside and out…every good adjective a person can be. I don’t know how life will continue for me and Jen, Julie, and my parents as we try to cope with the lost of a brother, a fiance, and a son. Paul – you are so missed. Our hearts are breaking as we try to make it through each day without you. I can’t imagine why God would take you from us when all you did was add wonder and beauty to this world, especially during a time when that is hard to come by. Each day, I look at my surroundings and it all seems not quite as bright now. Your smile was like the sunshine that made our world light up. I hope that your passing was peaceful and painless, and I thank God every moment that we had that one last visit with you in January and February to see that smile one more time and hear the great laugh again. I love you, Brother, more than you will ever know. I MISS YOU – Hilary XOXO
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