Tributes to father and teenage son killed in whale-watching boat tragedy

Updated

Tributes have been paid to a father and his teenage son who were killed when a whale-watching boat sank off the coast of Canada.

David Thomas, 50, and his 17-year-old son Stephen, from Swindon, Wiltshire, were among five Britons who died after the boat overturned near Vancouver Island on Sunday.

Stephen's mother Julie was rescued from the stricken vessel, Leviathan II, along with 20 other people on board.

The Down's Syndrome Association described Stephen as a "very talented young man" and a "gifted photographer", while his father was a "huge supporter" of the charity.

The charity's chief executive, Carol Boys, said: "Everyone at the Down's Syndrome Association and the Swindon Down's Syndrome Group were deeply saddened to hear the news of the deaths of Stephen and David Thomas.

"Stephen was a very talented young man and a gifted photographer. His love of photography started when he was eight years old. We were all delighted when Stephen's beautiful image Moraine Lake won the national My Perspective photographic competition last year.

"Stephen's father David was a huge supporter of the Down's Syndrome Association and one of the driving forces behind the Swindon Down's Syndrome Group, where he was a trustee.

"All of our thoughts and condolences are with the Thomas family at this terrible time."

A 27-year-old man from Sydney remains missing, while his girlfriend's father is reportedly among the dead.

Canada Whale-Watching Boat Tragedy: Five Britons Confirmed Dead
Canada Whale-Watching Boat Tragedy: Five Britons Confirmed Dead

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