A BBC television reporter who covered some of the worst atrocities of Northern Ireland’s Troubles before going on to head up the police’s communications office in the region has been killed in Bahrain.
Austin Hunter, who also worked as editor of the Ulster Newsletter, was knocked down while crossing the road in the Gulf state.
The 64-year-old was on business in Bahrain when the accident happened on Saturday night.
In a statement the Hunter family said on Sunday that this wife Jean, son Simon and daughter Rachael were “absolutely devastated at the loss of a loving husband, father and grandfather”.
The family added: “We are deeply touched by the warm tributes paid by so many and they have given us some comfort at this awful time. Right now, we want to focus on our family and despite media interest we would gratefully appreciate the space to grieve.”
Northern Ireland’s first minister, Arlene Foster, tweeted:
Shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of Austin Hunter; held in the highest regard by all who knew him. Deepest sympathy.
— Arlene Foster (@DUPleader) December 4, 2016
The deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, described him as a “very good journalist and nice man”.
