Warrington Man In Nepal Plane Crash

28 September 2012, 14:47 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A Warrington man is among the seven British tourists who were killed in a place crash in Nepal.

The British victims were identified by local travel company Sherpa Adventures as Raymond Eagle, 58, Christopher Davey, 51, Vincent Kelly, 50, Darren Kelly, 45, Stephen Holding, 60, Benjamin Ogden, 27 and Timothy Oakes, 57, from Warrington.

 The group, who arrived in Nepal on Wednesday and were due to begin trekking on Friday, were travelling with Hampshire-based travel company Explore Worldwide.

Managing director Ashley Toft said: "We are devastated by this news. Our thoughts are very much with the families of those affected, both in the UK and in Nepal.''

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said the families of the victims have all been informed.

Mr Toft said the plane belonged to Nepal's domestic airline Sita Air, which is approved by airline authorities.

He added: "The weather was good. The plane was departing for Lukla and our passengers were heading for Everest Base Camp at the start of their trek. We have no more information at present.''

Mr Oakes' sister-in-law, who answered the door at his home in Warrington, confirmed he was one of the victims.

She said the whole family was "devastated'' at the news.

"As you can imagine my sister is very distressed,'' she added. She did not give her name.