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Craigavon dad's tribute to son Alan Haughey killed in Australia crash

Alan Haughey (28), who died in a road crash in Australia 
Alan Haughey (28), who died in a road crash in Australia  Alan Haughey (28), who died in a road crash in Australia 

A CO Armagh man has died in a road crash in Australia just weeks after making a dream move to stay there.

Alan Haughey (28) from Craigavon was tragically killed when the car he was a passenger in left a road on the outskirts of Perth.

His "heartbroken" father Terry said his son had spent the past four years travelling back and forth to Western Australia but had secured his residency in August.

The "fun-loving" young man, who worked in gold mines servicing equipment, had just returned to Perth three weeks ago.

Mr Haughey was a back seat passenger in a 4x4 which lost control on a bend in the Mount Burgess area on Saturday afternoon.

The driver and front seat passenger, both aged 24, suffered minor injuries.

Thousands of young Irish people have travelled to Western Australia for work in recent years, with Mr Haughey beginning his Australian journey in Perth area four years ago.

His father said his son, who shared his love of heavy goods vehicles from a young age, had "loved the way of life".

"We are heartbroken, absolutely heartbroken," he said.

"He was a great man, outgoing, fun-loving and just a wonderful son.

"We only found out on Sunday, it's just so hard to take in."

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund, set up to assist families who have lost loved ones abroad, is involved in helping the Haughey family bring their son home.

Tributes to Mr Haughey have also been shared on social media, with his girlfriend Elaine Ni Meachair describing him as the "love of my life".

A friend also wrote: "A man that strived to attain legendary status the world over. To the people who knew him, and I am proud to say I am one of them, he absolutely was".

Mr Haughey is survived by his parents Terry and Maureen and siblings Christine, Mark and Nicola and girlfriend Elaine.