Service Marks Disaster Anniversary

Friday November 4

A service of remembrance for people who have died offshore will this year mark the 30^th anniversary of Britain’s worst civilian helicopter crash.

The service of commemoration, which begins at 11 am, is held annually on the first Saturday in November at the Kirk of St Nicholas in Aberdeen. The Kirk is home to the Oil and Gas chapel, which houses the Books of Remembrance where the names of those who have died offshore are inscribed.

A candle will be lit for the four people who have died offshore since last year’s service.

This year an additional candle will be lit to commemorate the 45 men who died when a Chinook helicopter crashed off Sumburgh in Shetland on November 6 1986.

The core of the service is an Act of Remembrance, where the names of those added to the Book of Remembrance are read out, followed by a piper’s lament, which leads into a minute’s silence.

Relatives and friends of those who lost their lives will take part in the service, including the Rev Pauline Nixon, a Church of England vicar whose husband Neville Nixon died in the Sumburgh disaster.

Rev Gordon Craig, chaplain to the oil and gas industry will officiate at the service. He said: "The service will be a special time for families who have lost loved ones offshore to come together. It seemed very appropriate that this year, one day before the 30th anniversary of the worst disaster to occur in the industry that we commemorate those lost during our annual service.

"What all the families share is the suddenness of their loss and getting that horrible knock on the door to be told their loved one is not coming back."

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