A COLNE man killed in a car crash in Saudi Arabia has been described as “a friend to all he knew”.

Steven Lonsdale, 37, an oil industry engineer and former professional diver, was driving to work on Friday, February 12, when he sustained fatal injuries after a lorry crashed through the central reservation and collided with his car.

Steven, who had worked overseas for the past five years, was a former apprentice of the year at Lucas Automotive in Burnley, where he worked for 16 years.

His father, David, 64 and stepmother, Christine, 51, who live on Grosvenor Street, Colne, said they had received hundreds of emotional messages from all over the world paying tribute to Steven.

Mr Lonsdale said: “I could not have wished for a better son.

“Steven packed a lot of living into his years but we all feel he had so much more to see and do.

“Everyone who has contacted us from numerous countries has said how caring and kind he was, which has been a great comfort.”

Steven’s mother Marian, who now lives in Wales, said: “He was a brilliant son, brother and friend and will leave a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.”

A former Bradley Junior School and Fisher More RC High School pupil, Steven left East Lancashire in 2005 to pursue his dream of becoming a diving instructor.

He spent an idyllic period working on the island of Koh Phi Phi in Thailand, close to the lagoon made famous in the film The Beach.

His career then took him to the Turks and Caicos islands in the Caribbean before he returned to engineering, securing a position with Texas based B&W Fluid Dynamics.

He then worked in India and Abu Dhabi before being sent to lead a project in Saudi five months ago.

Mr Lonsdale said his employers had been unstinting in their support and help since Steven’s death, being instrumental in the repatriation of his body.

He added: “Steven’s boss immediately flew to Saudi from Houston and has been on the phone around ten times a day to keep me informed of every development.

“His body was flown to Heathrow on Friday and should be with us in Colne at the weekend. It’s a great a relief and comfort to have him home.

“His employers have been a tower of strength and have even said they will be flying here for the funeral.”

Steven leaves a brother, Michael, 33 and sister Trudi, who turned 21 the day after her brother’s death.

Mr Lonsdale said a preliminary death report received from Saudi authorities said the lorry driver involved in the crash was arrested at the scene and is in custody as investigations continue.

Steven’s funeral service will be held on Friday, February 26 at Christ Church, Colne, at 10.30am followed by cremation at Burnley at noon.