Press Association, London
10 July 2003

PROBE INTO MYSTERY SHIP DEATH OF TWIN TOWERS SURVIVOR

An investigation was underway today into the mystery death of a top British business executive who survived the Twin Towers attack.

Courtenay Allan fell 60 feet down a lift shaft on board a new container ship in the French port of Le Havre on Thursday last week. Mr Allan, 53, had called the elevator and stepped into the lift when the doors opened - but the cabin was not there and he plummeted down the shaft. He was taken to hospital in Le Havre but died from multiple injuries the next day.

Mr Allan was a company director working for Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) in London. The company refused to say anything about Mr Allan's death. He had been showing customers around the new Korean-built ship, OOCL Montreal, anchored in the French port. An investigation by French police is underway.

Mr Allan it is understood, was a survivor of the 911 Twin Towers attacks. He was walking in a connecting bridge between the two towers when the first aircraft crashed into the World Trade Centre. Mr Courtenay had a long and distinguished career in shipping stretching back to 1967, according to industry sources. He had worked for Bristol City Line and Dart Container line before joining Hong Kong based OOCL.

He had been conducting a "customer reception" on board the huge container ship, before he fell. The ship was delivered to OOCL from Daewoo Shipbuilding and Engineering Co on 19 May, according to OOCL company website. It sails from Thamesport to Montreal.

No details of Mr Allan's death are on the OOCL company website and the company refused to give any details. A spokeswoman said the press officer was away and no one had authority to speak to the media. She said: "We would prefer not to speak to the press. It is all under investigation." The company did not return telephone calls.