Plane crash victim's mum praises supportive friends (From Bucks Free Press)

Plane crash victim's mum praises supportive friends

3:10pm Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News By James Nadal

THE mum of a plane crash victim has heaped praise on her son's friends for supporting the family through their time of crisis.

James Beagley, who lived in Marlow, died aged just 34 four years ago after a mid air crash.

He was a passenger in a Cessna 403 which collided near Coventry Airport while on a training routine.

For full background read articles HERE.

Last week, a long awaited inquest into his death - and that of four others killed in the accident - concluded.

The verdict gave little satisfaction to the family, who said it had got them nowhere nearer to a feeling of closure.

Although jurors identified errors by air traffic control as important factors, an inquest is unable to allocate blame, and the verdict essenitally just mirrored an accident investigation report.

Despite the difficult six days the Beagley family had to endure reliving the accident, there was praise for the pals of James.

His mother Liz Hopkins, from Milton Keynes, revealed the unstinting support the family has received.

She said: "They've been phenomenal, they really have. They've been on Facebook saying if there is any help you need, then just let us know and it has been brilliant.

"All of the last four years I've just hoped he realised what fantastic friends he had."

Memorial air displays have taken place at White Waltham airfield to mark the anniversary of his death.

The events have had huge turnouts, with some friends flying in from abroad especially to attend.

A special tribute book with personal thoughts from his pals was created.

Mrs Hopkins said: "One actually wrote (to him) 'you'll be pleased to know that only you could bring so many people together like this in one place'."