Touching tributes paid to BA crew killed in Heathrow car crash
Tributes have been pouring in for the three British Airways cabin crew who were killed in a road crash outside Heathrow Airport just before midnight on New Year’s Eve.
A fundraising page, set up by colleagues, raised more than £75,000 in just 24 hours, with many of the donations coming from BA passengers, BA crew, and others working in the travel industry, including former Thomas Cook crew and Gatwick ground staff.
The victims have now been named as Dominic Fell, 23, Joseph Finnis, 25, and Rachel Clark, 20.
They were killed when their car collided with a dnata lorry on Bedfont Road in Stanwell at around 23:40 on New Year’s Eve.
A 25-year-old woman, also BA crew, remains in hospital in a serious condition.
A Go Fund Me page called BA Angels reached its £2,000 target in just one hour and since then money has continued to flood in.
A donation of £400 was made by Branch LE2011 of the transport union Unite, which said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families at this difficult time. We are family…. be it in the skies, on the ground or retired. For our angels in the sky continue to fly high, to our colleague in hospital we pray for your full recovery."
One donator said: "We know the risk of being crew is that we can die on the job. Not in the car after just said goodbye around our office (Heathrow). I hope the family gets all the love and support they need and much more. We as crew stand united and will share our love to you all."
Another said: "Working in the travel industry and travelling with BA in a few days, I know these young people do a sterling job, and love it. My hearts go out to the families of these young boys and girls, gone too soon. Prayers and good recovery wishes for the survivor….Bless them all."
The fund was set up to help buy flower arrangements for the funerals, to make a donation to a charity chosen by the families of the victims and to help the crew member who is still in hospital.
Here are some of the other touching tributes posted on the fundraising page.
This is very tragic for the whole BA community. Rest in peace angels… fly high
God bless you hard working young people. I often see you all off to work in the early hours and all with that infectious happy smile that is familiar with BA staff. X
All wings stick together because we are a loving caring community. RIP x
Rest in perfect peace Rachel, will never be forgotten with such a beautiful smile and a beautiful soul -¤ï love and miss you always x
From a member of the BA crew family to the beautiful crew who have lost their lives xx
Thinking of everyone at this tragic time. Absolutely heartbreaking. A huge hole has been left in our BA family. X
My daughter is with Mixed Fleet and they really are a big family who support each other through good and bad times. The loss of these beautiful people is heartbreaking and may their families gain a crumb of comfort knowing they will not be forgotten. To all crew – sending a big big hug
I’m ba crew and we are a tight family …I’m utterly heartbroken…. big love to family and friends affected xxxx
The BA Team look after me so well. It’s the least all the regular fliers can do
I’m always extremely well looked after by BA crew when I fly so I hope this will be a bit more help in looking after their families. Den
I donated because my wife is cabin crew and I appreciate the hard work, commitment and risks involved to make passengers feel safe. It’s sad that you were taken this way…….
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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