A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been killed in a road accident in Thailand.

Popular Duncan Whittaker, from Great Harwood, had been on holiday in the Asian country with a friend when he was involved in the collision.

The circumstances into Mr Whittaker’s death are now being investigated and have not yet been released.

The community has rallied around the family of the former Norden High School pupil and has raised money to bring Mr Whittaker’s body back to the UK and lay him to rest.

His funeral arrangements are still to be confirmed.

Michael Singleton, the coroner for Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, has not officially been notified of the death yet, but the undertaker has been in touch to inform him that his assistance will be required once Mr Whittaker’s body has been brought home.

Mr Singleton will then start proceedings and look at the paper work that arrives with Mr Whittaker to determine whether a post mortem needs to be carried out.

An announcement will be made later.

A spokesman for the Home Office said they were supporting Mr Whittaker’s relatives.

He said: “We are aware of the death of a British national on February 4 in Thailand.

“We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”