LOCKERBIE BOMBING VICTIMSClipper Maid of the Seasfell victim to a terrorist bomb on 21 December, 1988, killing 243 passengers, 16 crew members and 11 residents of the town of Lockerbie in Scotland.
The scheduled Pan Am Flight 103from Heathrow to JFK airport in New York had its fuselage ripped open as the plane crossed the Scottish border, causing it to disintegrate and debris to fall over the Lockerbie area.
Everyone on board the aircraft was killed.
The passengers and crew were made up of 22 nationalities from all around the world.
They included international sound engineer Bill Cadman and his girlfriend Sophie who were on their way to spend Christmas with relatives; 41 students from various American universities returning from study in London; and several families from Long Island, including that of three-year-old Suruchi Rattan whose journey had been diverted onto Flight 103 after her brother fell ill.
A fellow passenger of the Rattans on a previous flight travelled to Lockerbie to leave flowers for the “little girl in the red dress who lies here who made my flight from Frankfurt such fun”.
Well known victims of the Lockerbie tragedy included founding member of the band Cockney Rebel,Paul Jeffreys, who died alongside his new wife Rachel at the start of their honeymoon; the poet Joanna Walton, best known for working with Robert Fripp; and Jonathan White, son of Bewitched actor David White.
Another victim who became well known after the tragedy was medical studentFlora Swirewhose father Jim acted as spokesman for the victims group UK Families Flight 103.
Also on board were four US intelligence officers believed to be investigating terrorist activities in the Far East.
Captain James MacQuarrie was found with his hands gripping the steering column as if he had been trying to steer the plane to safety, even in the final moments. He and members of his crew died in the nose section of the plane when it hit the ground. A flight attendant was found alive in the wreckage but died before help arrived.
As well as those on the plane, 11 people from the town below the blast were killed by falling wreckage. Jack and Rosalind Somerville and their children Paul and Lynsey all died when their house was destroyed.
There was widespread devastation and grief across Lockerbie but locals were praised for “opening their homes and hearts” in helping the emergency services and caring for the relatives of victims who flooded the town in the aftermath of the disaster.
There are memorials to those who died at Lockerbie around the world. At Dryfesdale Cemetery, about a mile west of Lockerbie, there is a garden of remembrance dedicated to their memory and several plaques bearing the names of the victims can be seen at churches in the town.
They are also remembered by a sculpture in Long Island created by the mother of one of the victims, a memorial at Syracuse University in New York (which also holds a remembrance week every year for 35 of its students) and a memorial cairn at Arlington National Cemetery.
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7474 visitors.Published: 09/12/2008
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23 Tributes left for
Brian Mawson:The image of suruchi rattan has stayed with me for the las...21/12/2018
Left by Brian Mawson:
21/12/2018
Left by Brian Mawson:
21/12/2018
Bonnie Spencer:I can hardly believe how long it has been since we last spok...05/07/2017
Bonnie Spencer:I can hardly believe how long it has been since we last spok...05/07/2017
Memorial at Dryfesdale Cemetery near Lockerbie
Left by funeral-notices.co.uk:
30/01/2014
Left by Liz kaminski:
20/02/2013
Left by For the families that died.:
22/10/2011
Marina Green:I was reminded today about Mrs. Fuller, a wonderful teache...09/09/2011
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The image of suruchi rattan has stayed with me for the last 30 years as " The little girl in the red dress " . I will never forget that night for as long as I live .
Brian Mawson:
21/12/2018
Comment
Left by Brian Mawson:
21/12/2018
Left by Brian Mawson:
21/12/2018
I can hardly believe how long it has been since we last spoke... the kids you watched for us have grown and had kids of their own. they still miss you too. what a wonder and joy you were for us, dear friend and neighbor. I still close my eyes and see you dancing so gracefully, or see the beautiful artwork you created. the beautiful church, so full with people who loved you, is now gone as well... our last time saying goodbye is burned so deeply into my mind and heart. miss you so much!!!!
Bonnie Spencer:
05/07/2017
Comment
I can hardly believe how long it has been since we last spoke... the kids you watched for us have grown and had kids of their own. they still miss you too. what a wonder and joy you were for us, dear friend and neighbor. I still close my eyes and see you dancing so gracefully, or see the beautiful artwork you created. the beautiful church, so full with people who loved you, is now gone as well... our last time saying goodbye is burned so deeply into my mind and heart. miss you so much!!!!
Bonnie Spencer:
05/07/2017
Comment
Memorial at Dryfesdale Cemetery near Lockerbie
Left by funeral-notices.co.uk:
30/01/2014
Comment
Left by Liz kaminski:
20/02/2013
Left by For the families that died.:
22/10/2011
I was reminded today about Mrs. Fuller, a wonderful teacher who gave her all to her students at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, California. Her spirit, her passion for teaching made school a fun place to be. With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 around the corner, she came to mind. I am fortunate to have had her teach me, I feel for all the students after me that were not as fortunate.
Marina Green - Hollywood High School Class of 1985
