Bond Puma 01 Apr 2009 Condolences
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: timbucktoo
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My heart goes out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones in this very sad and tragic accident.
Unfortunately I know all to well the pain that they are suffering. In time you will take some comfort from the findings of the AAIB who will investigate this accident in a professional and meticulous manner.
R.I.P.
Unfortunately I know all to well the pain that they are suffering. In time you will take some comfort from the findings of the AAIB who will investigate this accident in a professional and meticulous manner.
R.I.P.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: near where aanok and aaly live.
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I tought Richard to fly and i was asked for a recomendation for him for the post, of which without hesitiation he got my praises.
He was a bright enthusiastic inteligent and able pilot, larger than life, he was like a younger brother to me, words fail me at his loss
RIP dear friend I hope the time that you had on the rigs was all that you expected.
our thoughts are with K his father and all of the family at this tragic time.also with paul and his family and all of the miller crew at this time.
AJB & CHB
He was a bright enthusiastic inteligent and able pilot, larger than life, he was like a younger brother to me, words fail me at his loss
RIP dear friend I hope the time that you had on the rigs was all that you expected.
our thoughts are with K his father and all of the family at this tragic time.also with paul and his family and all of the miller crew at this time.
AJB & CHB
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Age: 79
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And if I go while you're still here...
Know that I still live on,
Vibrating to a different measure
behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait the time when we can soar together again,
both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to the fullest.
And when you need me,
just whisper my name in your heart,
....I will be there.
Colleen Hitchcock
Know that I still live on,
Vibrating to a different measure
behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait the time when we can soar together again,
both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to the fullest.
And when you need me,
just whisper my name in your heart,
....I will be there.
Colleen Hitchcock
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Age: 54
Posts: 178
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I thought it fitting that we should have a poem/lament from our national bard. I'm sure Rabbie Burns wouldn't mind me sharing this one.
This is called "A Mother's Lament", and for me applies to anyone who is taken away from us too soon.
Fate gave the word, the arrow sped,
And pierc'd my darling's heart;
And with him all the joys are fled
Life can to me impart.
By cruel hands the sapling drops,
In dust dishonour'd laid;
So fell the pride of all my hopes,
My age's future shade.
The mother-linnet in the brake
Bewails her ravish'd young;
So I, for my lost darling's sake,
Lament the live-day long.
Death, oft I've feared thy fatal blow.
Now, fond, I bare my breast;
O, do thou kindly lay me low
With him I love, at rest!
May all the friends and family take some comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones are in the prayers of many across the world and this industry, especially over here in Newfoundland where we are still mourning the loss of our fellow colleagues on Cougar 491.
God Bless.
This is called "A Mother's Lament", and for me applies to anyone who is taken away from us too soon.
Fate gave the word, the arrow sped,
And pierc'd my darling's heart;
And with him all the joys are fled
Life can to me impart.
By cruel hands the sapling drops,
In dust dishonour'd laid;
So fell the pride of all my hopes,
My age's future shade.
The mother-linnet in the brake
Bewails her ravish'd young;
So I, for my lost darling's sake,
Lament the live-day long.
Death, oft I've feared thy fatal blow.
Now, fond, I bare my breast;
O, do thou kindly lay me low
With him I love, at rest!
May all the friends and family take some comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones are in the prayers of many across the world and this industry, especially over here in Newfoundland where we are still mourning the loss of our fellow colleagues on Cougar 491.
God Bless.
Chief Bottle Washer
BBC Report on the memorial service:
The 16 men who died in the North Sea helicopter crash disaster were called "heroes" at a memorial service.
Prince Charles and Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined hundreds of relatives of the victims at the Kirk of St Nicholas in Aberdeen.
A candle was lit in memory of each of the men who died as their names were read aloud.
The men died when their Super Puma crashed off the Aberdeenshire coast two weeks ago.
Camilla, Duchess of Rothesay, and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond were also in attendance at the memorial, as were about 100 workers from the Miller platform, from which the helicopter had been returning.
A screen was erected on Union Street to relay the service outside, and was watched by hundreds more people.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Andrew Jolly, chaplain to the North Sea oil and gas industry.
He said: "This occasion must be for us all today a time of great sadness and sorrow.
"Those of us here and those who join us outside and offshore and around the world cannot begin to imagine the pain and sorrow the relatives of those who perished on 1 April, 2009 must be feeling at this time."
He said those affected would never forget what had happened.
He added of the book of condolence: "It's important I believe at this time that such a book is created, for it serves to remind us of those who are the heroes of this industry.
"They have paid the ultimate price for the richness harvested below the seabed."
Mr Jolly said he would fly out to the Miller platform on Thursday to conduct a further memorial for those who could not attend.
Wednesday's service also honoured a 17th man who died in an unrelated offshore accident on the same day as the Bond Super Puma accident. David Stephenson, 44, of Willow Bridge, Northumberland, was a crewman on the Well Servicer, operated by Technip.
Speaking after the service, Mr Salmond said: "Today's service was an important opportunity for the families, friends and colleagues of those lost in this tragic accident to come together and remember them.
"The service was simple, dignified and enormously moving. It will mean a great deal to the families, as will the turnout from thousands of people to make their own tribute.
"Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims, and also with those in the emergency and voluntary services whose heroic efforts on the day of the accident sadly proved to be in vain."
He added: "Safety is the ultimate priority for those who work in the North Sea. Let that stand as a memorial we can give to the lives of those who died so tragically in this accident."
Aberdeen businessman Sir Ian Wood, chairman of the multi-million pound energy services firm John Wood Group, said: "The first emotion from the oil and gas industry is deep sorrow and sympathy for the families."
He said a safe environment was needed in the industry.
The memorial, which started at 1400 BST, was broadcast live on BBC Two Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland Medium Wave and on the BBC news website.
The Super Puma helicopter had been returning from BP's Miller oil platform when it crashed about 11 miles north east of Peterhead on 1 April.
All 14 passengers and two crew members on board were killed.
Eight of the victims came from the north east of Scotland, seven from the rest of the UK, and one from Latvia.
Early discussions have taken place on a possible permanent memorial for the victims of the Super Puma crash.
The matter will be discussed by the newly-formed Helicopter Accident Issues Task Group.
On Tuesday, Grampian Police said the bodies of 13 of the victims were being returned to their families. They said the other three would be released as soon as possible.
The wreckage was recovered from the seabed. It included the black box flight recorder, the fuselage with the engines and rotor gearbox attached, the separated rotor head with the main rotor blades still attached, and the separated tail.
An initial report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found the helicopter had suffered a "catastrophic" failure in its main rotor gearbox.
Prince Charles and Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined hundreds of relatives of the victims at the Kirk of St Nicholas in Aberdeen.
A candle was lit in memory of each of the men who died as their names were read aloud.
The men died when their Super Puma crashed off the Aberdeenshire coast two weeks ago.
Camilla, Duchess of Rothesay, and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond were also in attendance at the memorial, as were about 100 workers from the Miller platform, from which the helicopter had been returning.
A screen was erected on Union Street to relay the service outside, and was watched by hundreds more people.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Andrew Jolly, chaplain to the North Sea oil and gas industry.
He said: "This occasion must be for us all today a time of great sadness and sorrow.
"Those of us here and those who join us outside and offshore and around the world cannot begin to imagine the pain and sorrow the relatives of those who perished on 1 April, 2009 must be feeling at this time."
He said those affected would never forget what had happened.
He added of the book of condolence: "It's important I believe at this time that such a book is created, for it serves to remind us of those who are the heroes of this industry.
"They have paid the ultimate price for the richness harvested below the seabed."
Mr Jolly said he would fly out to the Miller platform on Thursday to conduct a further memorial for those who could not attend.
Wednesday's service also honoured a 17th man who died in an unrelated offshore accident on the same day as the Bond Super Puma accident. David Stephenson, 44, of Willow Bridge, Northumberland, was a crewman on the Well Servicer, operated by Technip.
Speaking after the service, Mr Salmond said: "Today's service was an important opportunity for the families, friends and colleagues of those lost in this tragic accident to come together and remember them.
"The service was simple, dignified and enormously moving. It will mean a great deal to the families, as will the turnout from thousands of people to make their own tribute.
"Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims, and also with those in the emergency and voluntary services whose heroic efforts on the day of the accident sadly proved to be in vain."
He added: "Safety is the ultimate priority for those who work in the North Sea. Let that stand as a memorial we can give to the lives of those who died so tragically in this accident."
Aberdeen businessman Sir Ian Wood, chairman of the multi-million pound energy services firm John Wood Group, said: "The first emotion from the oil and gas industry is deep sorrow and sympathy for the families."
He said a safe environment was needed in the industry.
The memorial, which started at 1400 BST, was broadcast live on BBC Two Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland Medium Wave and on the BBC news website.
The Super Puma helicopter had been returning from BP's Miller oil platform when it crashed about 11 miles north east of Peterhead on 1 April.
All 14 passengers and two crew members on board were killed.
Eight of the victims came from the north east of Scotland, seven from the rest of the UK, and one from Latvia.
Early discussions have taken place on a possible permanent memorial for the victims of the Super Puma crash.
The matter will be discussed by the newly-formed Helicopter Accident Issues Task Group.
On Tuesday, Grampian Police said the bodies of 13 of the victims were being returned to their families. They said the other three would be released as soon as possible.
The wreckage was recovered from the seabed. It included the black box flight recorder, the fuselage with the engines and rotor gearbox attached, the separated rotor head with the main rotor blades still attached, and the separated tail.
An initial report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found the helicopter had suffered a "catastrophic" failure in its main rotor gearbox.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
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I had one of my first flights in the UK with Paul at BHH. He was a good man and a good pilot. As a reminder of why I wanted to fly in the first place, I still have the interview he did years ago in the newspaper.
My condolences to the friends and family of all those involved.
My condolences to the friends and family of all those involved.
Dedication
Shortly after the accident it was decided to dedicate the 'Helicopter Safety Uk' website, research and safety events in memory of Paul Burnham.
I have only just recently put together a short page on the site about Paul, it can be found here Helicopter Safety | Dedicated to Captain Paul Burnham.
It is my way to ensure we do not forget and to honour a good friend.
I have only just recently put together a short page on the site about Paul, it can be found here Helicopter Safety | Dedicated to Captain Paul Burnham.
It is my way to ensure we do not forget and to honour a good friend.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Goodwood, Sussex, UK
Age: 70
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Super Puma Crash Fund Raises £370,000
A memorial fund for 16 men who died when a Bond Helicopters Super Puma helicopter crashed in the North Sea on 1st April 2009 has raised £370,000.
