The father of a Fife soldier who died on holiday with his girlfriend in Portugal is pushing for further investigation into what happened to his son.
Lance Corporal Darren Lackie (21), of Cupar, died three days after sustaining a serious head injury in Albufeira during a week-long break with Ashleigh Wilson (21).
Portuguese police have recorded his death as accidental, concluding he fell and hit his head on a night out. But Graham Lackie believes his son was mugged.
The postman flew to Faro last Thursday with Darren’s mum Helen, a nurse, and was at the bedside when Darren died on Sunday morning.
Darren, commended for his efforts during a tour of duty in Afghanistan, had returned with Ashleigh to their timeshare apartment at around 10pm last Wednesday.
But almost five hours later The Black Watch soldier was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious on the pavement outside a restaurant in the town’s party area, known as The Strip.
Mr Lackie told The Courier there was only a small amount of alcohol in Darren’s body but traces of barbiturates were found. Darren had no money when he was discovered, and a new iPhone he had is still missing.
Mr Lackie also said an English-speaking doctor told him Darren’s injury behind his left ear was inconsistent with him falling over.’Too many questions unanswered’He said, “I know my son. He was a 6ft 3in soldier built like a horse and he didn’t do falling over. He didn’t do drugs, he was in the army and was due to return to work on Monday. It just doesn’t ring true.
“There is a gap between when he took Ashleigh home to when he was found and taken to hospital at about 2.50am, and there are too many questions which haven’t been answered.”
The devastated father also spoke proudly of the zest for life of the former Bell Baxter High School pupil, who joined the army at 16.
“Darren was just 21 years old, but the life he lived he could have been 41,” he said. “He loved life he lived for the army. Darren smiled that’s what he did.
“It’s difficult for us to understand or even think about him being gone.”
Darren’s brothers Calvin (20) and Ben (16) were preparing to fly out to see him before he died.Military funeralIt is not yet clear when his body will be flown home but he has been promised a military funeral on his return.
Tribute was paid to Darren by his commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Ed Fenton.
He said, “In Lance Corporal Lackie, The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) has lost one of its young rising stars who had already taken the first steps towards higher rank and greater responsibility.
“Having completed an operational tour of Afghanistan with the 3 SCOTS Battle Group in 2009 he was training in preparation for a possible return to Afghanistan later this year. Bright, enthusiastic, brave and entirely professional, he was a very popular member of B Company and the battalion.”
A relative at Darren’s family home in Upper Dalgairn said there had been fantastic support from people in Cupar.
A Foreign Office spokesman said he was unable to comment on the circumstances of Darren’s death, but said, “We are providing consular assistance to his family.”