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Original poster

Remembering Lockerbie and Pan Am 103

58 replies

CormoranStrike · 21/12/2018 08:36

It’s hard to believe that it has been 30 years since 259 in the skies and 11 people in the town were killed in the Lockerbie bombing.

270 families and circles of friends who were never the same again, whose losses were heavy and heart-breaking.

As with many major incidents I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.

News coming out on the radio and an instant appeal for blood donors - then all too soon the news that donors would not be required after all.

Thinking of them all today, including the first responders - official and locals - for what they had to deal with.

OP posts:
SingingSands · 21/12/2018 11:24

I remember. I was nine, almost 10.

My mum tried to shield us kids from it, but I remember my uncle was a police officer who was sent down to walk the debris. I also have a great aunt who still lives in the village, I remember mum crying on the phone to her.

MrsJayy · 21/12/2018 11:27

I just don't understand the logic of you know what would be a great ratings story...

AdobeWanKenobi · 21/12/2018 11:30

I remember my Dad shouting me down from the room to watch the newsflash, I was 15.

I read something about one of the bodies having grass in their hands as if they had been alive for a moment and grasped at the earth. I think that was the bit that really hit home for what those poor souls on that plane went through.
Thoughts with everyone on the plane, the ground, and all their loved ones today.

Flowers
XmasHolly · 21/12/2018 11:30

Thirty years of hurting for the families and friends. Sad

StereophonicallyChallenged · 21/12/2018 11:33

It wasn't the following year Emmerdale did the plane crash, it was 5 years later.

I've no negative opinion on that, real life is dramatised all the time. Just wanted to correct pp saying it was a year later Hmm

MrsJayy · 21/12/2018 11:39

Sorry that was my mistake

NearWildHeaven · 21/12/2018 11:39

OP that is so strange. My memory of that time is exactly the same as yours re the priest and being on the flight path. That really hit home with me too.

Thinking of all of the families affected. 30 years ago but it seems like no time at all.

DramaAlpaca · 21/12/2018 11:41

I remember Flowers

Cismyfatarse1 · 21/12/2018 11:47

One of my school friends was on board - a hugely funny girl with an irreverent sense of humour. The bane of the teachers' lives (and didn't we love her for it). She was doing really well for herself too.

So awful the memories it brings back.

katseyes7 · 21/12/2018 11:51

l worked with a man who had been one of the 'on the ground' crew at the time. He was traumatised by it, hardly surprisingly. l can't quite believe it's 30 years ago now.
lf anyone's ever up that way, l'd recommend visiting the memorial. lt's beautifully done, and very respectful and poignant.

RandomMess · 21/12/2018 11:56

They are always remembered Thanks

cheesenpickles · 21/12/2018 12:05

My dad worked in this 'sector' and started a new job following the incident.

I remember being very young and him telling me details (things that have only just been released). Absolutely heartbreaking. I can't read anything about it without crying my eyes out.

Thanks
Soubriquet · 21/12/2018 12:08

I had only heard of this the other day when the lost voices of lockerbie was on tv

I cried. A lot

Horrible thing to happen

Thoughts are all with the families who experienced loss

Witchofzog · 21/12/2018 12:31

I was 11 and had never been on a plane. I didn't grasp how awful it must have been for those on board. I read recently that everyone lost consciousness due to lack of oxygen initially but regained consciousness as they got closer to the ground. I can't even imagine the horror of this.

The people of Lockerbie were amazing from what I can gather. I read many looked after the poor souls they found on their properties like their own and some still stay in touch with the families even now.

I must say that although the washing and ironing of the clothing in the suitcases was done out of kindness, I personally would have wanted the person's smell to remain on the clothes if it were my family member.

Bejazzled · 21/12/2018 14:37

I think only burst open luggage would have been cleaned and it would have been stained and contaminated. I'm sure no one would have opened sealed cases. I know what you mean though.

Sarahandduck18 · 21/12/2018 14:56

It’s the thought of the babies, still being held.

Lolimax · 21/12/2018 15:00

I was first year uni. We had a load of American exchange students with us but luckily they all went home a couple of days before. Scary and so unbelievably sad.

HelenaDove · 21/12/2018 15:03

" Stephen was visiting a friend so survived. Both Stephen and David both died at young ages"

Oh i didnt realize this Sad

I was watching The Lockerbie Legacy last night on BBC 4 They were talking about how they sorted and washed the laundry.

Some of those in the rescue effort were so young too. I was 15 when this happened and some of those in the rescue effort were only 2 to 3 years older than me.

HelenaDove · 21/12/2018 15:09

They are all in my thoughts Thanks

HelenaDove · 21/12/2018 15:10

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24640277

Witchofzog · 21/12/2018 15:11

@bejazzled. Ah that makes more sense now

icebearforpresident · 21/12/2018 15:16

My father in law was a retained fire fighter at the time and had to go to cover a nearby fire station so that the firefighters from that station could travel to help with the recovery effort. Some of the stories he heard were awful and even though he wasn’t directly involved they effected him for a long time. He still struggles to speak about it.

Vinorosso74 · 21/12/2018 16:48

I vividly remember it and can visualise some of the TV news footage. Not sure where the last 30 years have gone though. Like any other such incidents so tragic for all killed, their families and friends and the people involved in the rescue effort.

ALongHardWinter · 21/12/2018 17:01

Apparently, a couple of celebrities missed being on that plane by the skin of their teeth.

That aside,this disaster has occupied my thoughts a lot over the last few days. I was 25 at the time,with a 6 year old DD,and I clearly remember hearing about it on the TV news the next morning,and my DD asking me loads of questions that I just didn't know how to answer. Sad.

MiddlingMum · 21/12/2018 17:17

I remember it clearly, listening on the radio (I didn't have a tv) and feeling so upset. Weirdly, they were talking about it on the R4 this morning, and I had the same radio on, still working 30 years later. Somehow that seemed almost like a link to the day it happened.