Perth man found dead in Laos
The father of a Perth man who died in Laos just days after his friend died following a night of heavy drinking has disputed suggestions his son's death was linked to a drug overdose.
Nick Parkin, 39, died in his Sinnakhone Hotel room on January 4 just days after Kane Scriven, 40, died on new Year’s Day while on a holiday in Laos.
ABC Radio reported today that both Darwin-based men died from drug overdoses, likely from the same batch of drugs.
But John Parkin told thewest.com.au today that his son did not use drugs because he was regularly drug-tested in his workplace.
Mr Parkin and Mr Scriven worked as crewmen for Workboats Northern Australia in Darwin and were holidaying in Laos and staying at a hotel west of Vientiane. Mr Parkin returned to the capital after his friend's death.
Mr Parkin Snr told ninemsn this morning that his son had been very distressed by his friend's death.
"He was by himself with Kane and they were very good mates," Mr Parkin said.
"From what little he said on email, he was deeply affected by Kane's death. We lost contact with him after that."
Mr Parkin told ninemsn that the friends had flown to South-East Asia together after Mr Scriven bought Mr Parkin a ticket to Thailand as a Christmas present.
"I thought they were staying in the usual tourist haunts, but Nick was a bit adventurous," Mr Parkin said.
He said his son has intended to return to his job in Darwin after the holiday.
"He was a fun-loving, nice guy who really enjoyed his work," his father told ninemsn.
Mr Parkin's brother Timothy posted a prayer mentioning the death on his Facebook page.
Jaimie Hildebrand, a friend of Mr Parkin, said she was hoping to hear this was a prank.
“Love you with all my heart,” she said.
Another friend, Luke Martin, said Mr Parkin was a great man and friend.
“Having known you has been an absolute pleasure and I’m sad to hear your (sic) gone, but so thankful for the fantastic memories,“ he said.
DFAT would not reveal the circumstances of the latest death nor his identity but said his family was receiving consular assistance. It is unclear at this stage if the deaths are connected.
Workboats Northern Australia said it was "shocked by the sudden deaths of Kane Scriven and Nicholas Parkin".
"We are supporting their close friends who still work with us, and are respecting their requests to grieve in peace," the company said in a statement. "Our thoughts and condolences go to the families of Kane and Nick. RIP."
It is understood the man had worked in the industry for "a while" after coming to Workboats Northern Australia from Paspaley Pearls where he was a pearl diver in Broome for several years.
Former workmates of the pair said they were both "really good blokes".
