HUNDREDS of family and friends turned out to pay their respects to an oil rig worker who died in a helicopter crash in the North Sea last month.

The funeral of Duncan Munro, a welder from Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, took place St Andrew’s Church, South Church, today (Tuesday, September 10).

The 46-year-old was on the Super Puma L2 aircraft which crashed at 6.20pm, on Friday, August 23 about two miles west of Sumburgh Airport as it was returning to Shetland from the Borgsten Dolphin platform.

Mr Munro was also a special constable for Durham Police and the funeral service was attended by two colleagues and Chief Superintendent Graham Hall.

Flowers adorned the hearse and they included messages from close members of his family.

The Northern Echo:

One said: “Brother Duncan, sadly missed and never forgotten. Love Colin and Jean xx”

Another added: “Duncan, you were taken from us tragically but you will be forever in our thoughts. Loads of love George & Lesley xxx”

A third message said: “Our loving brother Duncan, in our thoughts and hearts forever xxxx”

Mr Munro leaves behind his wife Penny and their 12-year-old daughter Katy.

In a statement shortly after his death, the family said: “Duncan was a fabulous father to Katy and a devoted husband to Penny.

"He was a loving brother and a good friend and colleague to many.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him and his death will leave a large void in a lot of people's lives."

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, but so far no evidence of technical failure has been found, however, detailed examination of the CVFDR (combined voice and flight data recorder) data and the helicopter wreckage is continuing.

The Northern Echo: Hampshire man dies in North Sea helicopter tragedy
MUCH LOVED: Duncan Munro

A second North-East man, George Allison, 57, formerly of Washington, Wearside, but living in Winchester, Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin, and 59-year-old Gary McCrossan, from Inverness, were also killed.

  •  The Northern Echo was present in church grounds in the knowledge of the family.