Malaysian Airlines MH17 Victims Named, Former BBC Journalist, Students Among The Dead
The victims names in the horrific crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 that had a staggering death toll of 298 are starting to be released. Five British victims names and stories have been released and the families are beginning to speak about their lost loved ones.
According to the Telegraph, two 20-year-old undergraduates, two Newcastle United fans and World Health Organisation worker are among British victims of the MH17 tragedy.
Richard Mayne, 20, is one of the victims of the MH17 crash. Mayne had picked the flight specifically because he was diabetic and needed a stopover, his devastated dad said yesterday to the Mirror. Richard Mayne was a student from Leicester flying to Australia for a “dream 12 month trip”. Mayne was studying maths and finance at the University of Leeds and a keen charity worker. In fact, the photo above is from one of his recent charity trips to Nepal. In April he also climbed to Everest base camp to raise money for charity. The maths and finance undergraduate was on board the flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur as he travelled to Perth, Australia.
Mayne’s father Simon was heartbroken as he spoke about the events before the flight.
“When we were looking at flights together, there was this one that stopped in Amsterdam and we thought it would be perfect. He was diabetic so we thought it would be a good chance for him to do whatever he needed to do and maybe even go out and have a ride on the bikes and see Amsterdam. He was really looking forward to it. I took him to the airport at 3am myself, to fly to Amsterdam. When I first saw it on the news, my heart dropped. I just thought, oh god, oh god – I couldn’t believe it.”
Another victim was also a university student. Ben Pocock, 20, was studying at Loughborough University and is believed to be in his early 20s. He had just completed his exams, according to a tweet.
Extremely sorry to hear the tragic news about Ben Pocock. As with all the E block lads spent a lot if time chilling in the common room….
— Sexton Hardcastle (@BiggSmooch) July 18, 2014
The Inquisitr also previously reported on Glenn Thomas, who had worked for the World Health Organisation (WHO) following a stint at the BBC, is thought to have been among around 100 passengers on the flight. He was believed to be travelling to Melbourne for the International AIDS Conference, due to begin on Sunday.
Two of the other Malaysian Airlines MH17 victims include, John Alder, believed to be in his 60s, and Liam Sweeney, 28, were flying to New Zealand to watch their favorite rugby team, Newcastle United, play in a pre-season tour. A tribute on the website said:
“Both were well known to away followers, particularly John, whose usual match day attire led to the affectionate nickname of ‘The Undertaker’. Both were in attendance at Oldham on Tuesday, doing what they loved. Our thoughts are with their friends, families and the many fans who knew them by sight.”
[Image Credits: Facebook, Twitter, Telegraph]
