Lockerbie Bombing Anniversary: Peter's story

Over the course of this week we'll be taking a look at how the incidents of the 21st of December 1988 shaped the lives of people within Lockerbie, and how it continues to affect them today.

You can hear more about this in the documentary for Greatest Hits Radio as we take a look at the legacy of that night 35 years on.

Lockerbie: What happened

On the 21st of December, 1988, commercial plan Pan Am 103 was flying from London to New York when it exploded at over 30,000 feet.

The explosion killed all 259 people on the plane, many of whom were Americans heading home for Christmas, as well as 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie.

Former Libyan intelligence officer, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is so far the only man convicted in relation to the bombing, after being found guilty of 270 counts of murder by a panel of three Scottish judges, sitting at a special court in the Hague in 2001.

He was sent to prison in Scotland, but was controversially granted compassionate release in 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, returning home to Libya where he died in 2012.

Peter Giesecke

Peter was sat at home, in his living room, on December 21 1988. The night was passing as any other normally would, until Peter heard a nice getting louder outside, and a light beginning to shine.

He explained what then unfolded: "There was about 25, 30 bodies out the back. I shown the torch out there and there was this body over my hedge. It was a young girl, one shoe on. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"We were in darkness here, all lights went out. My windows were blown in and the smell of aviation fuel was absolutel terrible.

"The people here, I knew them all, I've been here all my days. I knew all the people, I seen them every day, I knew them. Some of their houses... They were just gone."

The body that Peter had found belonged to that of 21-year-old Lindsey Otenasek, who was on the plane flying back to America.

Since then Peter has connected with Lindsey's family, and although that has given him some comfort, and people to talk to, he's never had any formal support.

The night of the 21st continues to haunt Peter, and whenever it's discussed he becomes emotional. Even now, every Christmas he's out laying a wreath where he found Lindsey's body, in the hope of memorialising her life, and helping him come to terms with what he saw.

He continued: "I'm always out there putting a wreath on that fence.

"I've never had any help over this you know. It just affects me, especially come the 21st and that time of year. So many people lost their life.

"Some of the people in Lockerbie just... Everybody just sort of got on with their life the next day you know."

Untold stories

All this week, we're hearing from some people who've not previously shared their Lockerbie experience or story:

Colin Dorrance: he was an 18 year old police officer when flight Pan Am 103 came down over Lockerbie.

On the night of the attack he was travelling from his parents to a Christmas party in the town.

Read his account of what happened here.

Jackie and James: Jackie was a school teacher at the time of the attack, decorating her home, when suddenly her house was showered in pieces of debris. She'd go on to join staff at the school preparing food for the emergency services as they tackled the unfolding devastation.

James was just 5 when Pan Am 103 came down over the town. He remembers witnessing the explosion and, in his child-like innocence, believing Santa had come early.

You can read their stories here.

Support

If you need any support on any of the issues we've raised throughout our coverage visit the Tim Parry and Johnathon Ball Foundation who can help provide comprehensive support to victims and survivors of terrorism.