Lockerbie bombing: Northumberland volunteer reveals role in aftermath of Britain's deadliest terrorist atrocity 36 years on
A member of Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team has been recalling the role of local volunteers in the days following the bombing of PanAm flight 103 over Lockerbie, 36 years on.
270 people lost their lives in the tragedy in December 1988, including all 243 passengers and 16 crew on board.
Carl Hamilton was deployed, along with colleagues from Scottish Mountain Rescue, to recover parts of the aircraft and any personal belongings they could find.
Recalling the search, he said: “We were out for three weeks searching, right over the Christmas period. In fact the only day we had off was Christmas Day."
The team was based at Bellingham Police Station - more than 60 miles from the main crash site, by road - and searched a vast area around Kielder.
“We found everything from pieces of fuselage to identity cards and passports," he continued.
"Whilst it was incredibly difficult, we knew that ultimately we would be helping bring a sense of closure to the families of those onboard."
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Libyan national Abu Agila Masud is due to go on trial in the US next year for his alleged involvement in what remains Britain's deadliest terrorist atrocity.
Scotland's most senior prosecutor Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC said recently the trial will enable the circumstances of what happened to be "fully understood".
A spokesperson for Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team added: "As ever, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Lockerbie disaster and their families."
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