Boss pays tribute to ‘happy and beautiful’ agent killed in Manchester terror attack
Westoe Travel has thanked the trade for its support after police confirmed one of its agents, 17-year-old apprentice Chloe Rutherford, died in Monday night’s Manchester terror attack.
Chloe, who worked part-time at the agency in South Shields, was at the Ariande Grande gig with her boyfriend, Liam Curry, 19, who has now also been confirmed as among the dead.
They had been unaccounted for since the attack and members of both families had travelled to Manchester to look for them.
The families have issued a joint statement saying: "On the night our daughter Chloe died and our son Liam died, their wings were ready but our hearts were not.
"They were beautiful inside and out to ourselves and our families, and they were inseparable.
"Chloe always described herself as ditzy who Liam adored and would do anything for, including dealing with Chloe’s demands for chocolate.
"They lived to go to new places together and explore different cities. They wanted to be together forever and now they are."
Chloe had been due to start a full-time apprenticeship with Westoe Travel next month.
Westoe Travel owner Graeme Brett said: "We would like to thank everyone in the travel industry for their support.
"We have now had the devastating news that Chloe Rutherford and her boyfriend Liam Curry have been taken from us at such a young age.
"It is something we will never be able to understand. When you watch these events on television you never expect them to impact on those around you.
"As a small family business, Chloe was part of our family, working part time as she completed her college studies before starting full time with us on June 26 to begin her travel apprenticeship.
"We loved her friendly happy personality and she was a great asset to Westoe Travel and had a great future ahead in the travel industry which she was really looking forward to.
"Liam would meet her from work and they were a perfect loving couple.
"The families have lost two beautiful young people who were a credit to them and our thoughts and prayers go to both families at this terrible time."
Delegates attending the CLIA UK conference in Southampton stood up and joined in the nationwide minute’s silence for Chloe and other victims of the terror attack at 11am today.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026