Afghan bomb victim stayed on so he could return home for Christmas

THE “devastated” family of a Scottish contractor killed in a suicide bomb attack have revealed he chose to stay on in Afghanistan in order to save his holidays to spend Christmas with his children.

David Quinn, a father-of-three from Airdrie, died after the Taleban rammed a military convoy he was travelling with in Kabul.

The electrician was one of 17 people who died in the attack near the city’s American University last weekend, which has left his loved ones “devastated”.

Five coalition troops and seven other civilian contractors were also killed when their armoured Rhino personnel carrier was targeted by the car bomber. Three Afghan civilians and a police officer also died, while eight other Afghans, including two children, were wounded during Saturday’s attack.

Mr Quinn was working in Afghanistan for Fluor Corp, a US engineering and construction company which has several contracts with the US army to provide a range of services.

The 34-year-old had given up his job with South Lanarkshire Council to take up the post in order to provide for his young family.

His wife of 13 years, Jane, with whom Mr Quinn had two sons aged 13 and 18 and an eight-year-old daughter, said yesterday: “Words cannot describe how we are all feeling – numb, shock, disbelief. David could have come home earlier but he wanted to save leave for a family Christmas, so he worked on. If he had come home, then he would still be alive today.

“It was a highly-paid job. We were going to pay off the mortgage and I gave up my job at Scotmid in Clarkston. It was meant to be the end of scrimping and saving for us. I just can’t believe he’s gone.”

Mrs Quinn, 34, said that she had daily contact with her husband via telephone, Facebook, and Skype, and e-mailed him several times after hearing about the attack in Kabul. When she received no reply she knew “something wasn’t right”.

Mr Quinn’s mother, Sandra, said: “He had only been in Camp Bagram for ten weeks and absolutely loved it. He was a devoted father and a loving son. We are all absolutely devastated.

“He wasn’t concerned about safety in Camp Bagram. In fact, he used to cycle six miles to and from work every day.

“We were all meant to be going to Disneyworld in Florida, in August, but David couldn’t manage as he was going for the job in Afghanistan, so Jane and I took the kids to Benidorm.

“David was going to take them all to Florida at a later date but now that will never happen.

“He was happy go lucky and so popular with everyone and we will have so many treasured memories.”

His father, Tam, added: “It was a million to one chance. He would have been here today if he had come home on leave. We just can’t believe he’s gone.”

Mr Quinn was a keen flautist and his friends paid tribute to him on a music website.

Whistling Willie, a contributor to Chiff & Fipple, an internet forum dedicated to flute and whistle playing, said: “David was a friend of mine, who was a true gentleman and a friend to all who knew him. So sad that he leaves behind a young family. RIP Davy.”

Another post left by Fourstep said: “A sad, sad loss not only to the flute band scene in the UK but a true gent who would help anyone out when they came asking.”

A spokesman for Texas-based Fluor Corp said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of our co-workers.”