Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Full military send-off for lorry victim
Hero binman John, 51, to get honour
THE hero binman killed by the lorry he was working on is to get a military burial.
Former Queen’s Royal Hussars officer John Winton died on Tuesday following a collision on the street where his mother lives.
Emergency services rallied to his aid at Mount Eden, Limavady, Co Derry, at around 7.30am but he could not be saved.
The 51-year-old’s former comrades have paid tribute to the popular soldier.
Retired Army Major Jim Austin said: “The Regimental Association of The Queen’s Royal Hussars is shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of John Winton.
“John joined The Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars in 1987 and served a full career with the Regiment retiring in 2010 in the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2.
“He served with the Regiment in Germany, UK and Canada and on operations in The Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.
“John was a highly-respected and popular soldier and will be dearly missed by his comrades. On behalf of The chairman and all members of the Regimental Association we send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends on their loss.” As well as a distinguished Army career in which he reached the rank of Sergeant Major, Mr Winton was also a part-time firefighter.
His Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service colleagues were among the 999 crews scrambled following the incident.
The grandad was working for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council collecting recycling at the time.
The Police and the Health and Safety Executive are both probing the tragedy.
Mr Winton’s funeral will be held at 1.30pm on Saturday at Christ Church in Limavady.