Killed on flight home for belated Christmas

Two of the gas rig workers - Alfred Neasham, from Coxhoe, and Les Ahmed, 48, from South Shields - were among six men killed in the Morecambe Bay tragedy on Wednesday.

Hopes were fading last night for Keith Smith, from Stockton, who was still missing.

Mr Neasham's daughter last night led tributes to the 57-year-old grandfather.

Jill Hugill, 31, from School Aycliffe, County Durham, said: "The whole family is absolutely devastated and it is something we will never come to terms with.

"He will be hugely, hugely missed by everyone who knew him."

Pilot Stephen Potton, 51, from Blackpool and co-pilot Simon Foddering, 33, from Preston, Lancashire, as well as passengers Robert Warburton, 60, from Heysham, Lancashire, and John Shaw, 51, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, also died in the accident.

All the men were on board what should have been a routine flight, which turned to disaster 25 miles off the Lancashire coast.

The Eurocopter left Blackpool at about 6pm to collect workers from gas rigs in Morecambe Bay.

It collected passengers from two rigs and was about 500 yards short of a third when three horrified witnesses watched as it veered to the left and ditched into the waves.

The Air Accident Investigation Board has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash and a search is taking place to locate the aircraft's black box flight recorder.

Keith Mullett, managing director of helicopter company CHC Scotia, described the pilot and co-pilot as "an extremely experienced and capable crew" and described the safety record of the Eurocopter as "excellent".

Weather conditions included strong force six winds and no Mayday message was sent.

Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver, of Lancashire Police, said: "The weather was considered normal for the time of year and none of the witnesses have described any unusual events."

An air and sea search was launched, which recovered six bodies and a substantial amount of wreckage.

Sam Laidlaw, of gas firm Centrica, which employed the four passengers who have been confirmed dead, said the company was deeply saddened by the tragedy.

"Our priority is to provide as much support as we can,"

he said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this terrible time."

Family and friends of Keith Smith, believed to be a 57- year-old divorcee from Stockton, were praying for a miracle last night after the search for him was called off at 4.30pm yesterday, amid fading light, worsening weather and with gales forecast for the Irish Sea today.

The search had lasted 22 hours and involved three lifeboats and a Sea King helicopter.

A spokesman for Liverpool Coastguard said they did not plan to resume an active search and rescue operation today, but vessels in the area would be asked to continue to keep a lookout.

Operations manager Jim Paton said: "Liverpool Coastguard has co-ordinated an intensive sea surface search lasting nearly 24 hours.

"The initial search last night was launched very quickly and the search area has been thoroughly covered.

"All that could be done in terms of search and rescue has been done.

"Sadly, all realistic hope has gone of finding a survivor at this stage of the operation.

"If the person had been alive and on the surface, we are confident he would have been found.

"Our thoughts and sympathy are with the families and friends of the men involved."

Mr Smith, who is believed to live with his partner on Teesside, worked for the firm Costain Petrofac.

A Cleveland Police family liaison officer has been assigned to the family, who have asked for privacy.

A spokesman for the force said: "Friends and family are clinging to the hope that he will be found safe and well."

Book of Condolence

The Northern Echo has opened a Book of Condolence for the North-East men who died when their helicopter crashed as they were returning home for a belated Christmas.

You can leave tributes to the men via the form below.