AN Irishman has been named as a victim of Hurricane Helene — with his son describing him as a “superhero”.
Former lawyer Aidan Bowles, 71, stayed put in his one-storey cottage in Indian Rocks Beach, near Tampa, Florida as the storm hit the US at the weekend.
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He was found covered in mud by neighbour John Comer, who said: “It’s not something you can get out of your mind easily.”
Aidan was one of more than 100 people killed by the massive storm – and there’s fear the death toll could rise as high as 600.
The OAP, who grew up in Ireland, lost his wife last year.
As well as being a lawyer, Aidan had opened a restaurant.
Heartbroken son Sam said: “This guy was the strongest, smartest person I’ve ever met in my life.
“He truly made an impact in his life on not just me, but everyone he came into contact with. I’m lost without him.”
Originally from Glanmire, Co Cork, Bowles emigrated to the US when he was just 20 years old.
He worked as an attorney in New York when he moved to the states and then got into the coal business, according to his son Sam.
He retired at 55 and moved from Kentucky to Florida.
Son Sam told RTE News: “He was a man of many hats. He was a New York attorney when he first emigrated.
“Then he got into the coal business and became one of the largest exporters and importers of coal out of the Gulf of Mexico.”
He added: “He was a superhero. He adopted me when I was a one-year-old. He has done so much for me and for everyone he has come into contact with.”
Heartbroken Sam explained he had last spoken to his dad the night before he passed away.
‘NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT’
He said: “I called him around 10pm last Thursday night and he told me there was nothing to worry about, that everything was fine and the storm had already passed him.
“But the storm surge is what caused the issue.
“The next morning around 9.30am, I got a call from the police to say my father was deceased in his home and there was about eight to ten feet of water surrounding it.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs told the national broadcaster that it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.
