Tributes paid to pensioner who died in Levaghery Close incident

Tributes have been paid to the pensioner who died in an incident at a house in the Levaghery Close area of Portadown.

Victor Pickering (84) died last Wednesday and his wife Betty is still being treated at Craigavon Area Hospital.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the death which happened at his home on Wednesday (June 12).

Mr Pickering was described as a ‘gracious and humble man’.

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He was an honorary life member and former secretary of 1st Portadown BB Old Boys’ Association.

In a statement they said, “The Chairman and Committee are saddened to inform everyone of the sudden passing today... of our highly esteemed past Secretary and Honorary Life Member Victor Pickering.”

Local Councillor Ken Twyble said, “Victor was a gracious and humble man who gave a lifetime of service to young people through the Boys’ Brigade and the wider church.

“Lately, he continued service through the BB Old Boys’ Association.”

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The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday afternoon with the Ambulance Service called to the area at 4.53pm after reports of an unconscious man.

One elderly female patient was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital.

Police said detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

A woman aged in her eighties, who was also present in the house, was taken to hospital, where she remains at this time, a PSNI spokeswoman said.

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Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Corrigan said: “Detectives are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding this death.

“At this stage we do not believe anyone else was involved in this incident. Our enquiries are continuing.”

As part of the response, the Ambulance Service tasked a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to the incident, which would usually deal with dangerous chemical or gas leaks.

The PSNI has said they do not believe anyone else was involved in the case.

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