Thursday 21 January 2010

182 Greater Love Hath No Man

Earlier this week, whilst on honeymoon in Egypt, my friends Luke and Sophie were hit by a sudden freak storm on the Nile. Their craft, a local 'felucca', was swamped and - after saving the lives of his wife and two other passengers by helping them to escape from the foredeck hatch - Luke became trapped and drowned.
I can't express how profoundly saddening this is for us and our friends: I used to work with Luke and they came to our wedding. He really was someone who was genuinely full of life - a cross between the endearing wildness of the Muppets' Animal and the serene power of a brown bear. On top of this, he was an inspirational French teacher at a tough school, and he once lent me a banjo for an entire summer (he could really play). A tremendously magnetic personality.

Our thoughts go out to Sophie and both families: it's heartbreaking that he's no longer with us and tragically apt that he should go out in so selfless a way.

This scarcely seems the appropriate context for grief, and it's odd to express it in this way, but thanks for bearing with me.

What a fine example of the good in mankind.

NB: The Telegraph put together a very informative and sympathetic article, here.
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22 comments:

  1. The Inner Geek22 January 2010 at 00:49

    How very sad. He sounds like a wonderful fellow and our thoughts and prayers go out for his family and wife.

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  2. Dverning22 January 2010 at 00:54

    Grief knows no "appropriate context"; here is great. Condolences to her, the families and friends.

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  3. eriochrome22 January 2010 at 01:29

    I am sad to hear you lost a good friend, but it sounds like his actions prevented you and other people from losing more.

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  4. Matt22 January 2010 at 02:03

    Truly sad, my condolences and sympathies go out to you and and to his wife and family, in this time of loss.

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  5. FoxPhoenix13522 January 2010 at 03:29

    The families have my condolences. Here's to true heroes, and to their selfless sacrifices.

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  6. Anonymous22 January 2010 at 05:17

    :(

    That sucks.

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  7. Max22 January 2010 at 06:35

    My condolences sir and to all of his family and friends- sounds like he was the definition a great human being.

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  8. John Lambshead22 January 2010 at 08:32

    Dear Drax

    I read about that in the news.

    My condolences.

    John

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  9. Soundwave22 January 2010 at 08:57

    Wow, I really wasn't prepared for that this morning, such a touching story. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, and the bravery he showed there was incredible.

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  10. Col. Corbane22 January 2010 at 09:49

    It is the smallest of decisions in life that lead to the greatest of deeds.

    A TRUE hero has passed and the world has lessened because of it.

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  11. Marshal Argos22 January 2010 at 10:19

    Anyone who risks their life to save anothers is a Hero! My Condolences to the family, and to you for loosing such person.

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  12. suneokun22 January 2010 at 10:31

    My condolences fella. He seemed an amazing guy ... and a hero to the end. Such a tragedy, such a sad waste of a life ... but he did the right thing through and through and for that we should all be proud of him.

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  13. Dan Eldredge22 January 2010 at 12:02

    I read the story link--I can't believe how poorly his wife was treated by the Egyptian police, but I'm glad she finally found some sympathetic people to help her in the aftermath. I can't imagine what she must have gone through.

    What a terrible tragedy. My thoughts and condolences go out to Luke's wife, family, and friends. They suffered a big loss this week.

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  14. Dj Batman22 January 2010 at 14:25

    I'm sorry for your loss of a truely great man and condolences to those affected by such a tragic loss.

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  15. HuronBH22 January 2010 at 15:13

    I am sorry for your loss. Why is it that some of the brighter, meaning full souls always burn the bright but short?

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  16. Space Hulk Enthusiast22 January 2010 at 16:44

    Wow.
    It puts it into perspective just how important those who are closest to us are.

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  17. Blitzspear22 January 2010 at 17:11

    This was on the news last night and my wife said that it's always the best people that this happens to. This is very sad news and my sympathies to his wife and family. He sounded like the sort of teacher we need more of to inspire the young.
    Rich

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  18. Da Masta Cheef22 January 2010 at 18:39

    Having saved others sadly at the expense of himself shows a level of courage that many could aspire to, yet few would emulate.

    I'd like to extend my deepest condolences to you & yours.

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  19. harreh22 January 2010 at 20:43

    My goodness how heartbreaking. Sincere condolences to all of his and her family.

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  20. NemFX22 January 2010 at 22:25

    This will possibly come off as insensitive, if so, my apologies in advance.

    Could one realistically ask for a better death? Saving your wife, daughter, and friends.. That's hard to top.

    Salutes all around for that guy.

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  21. Admiral Drax22 January 2010 at 23:35

    Thank you all for your sensitivity and understanding.

    I'll pass on regards and wishes however I may when I write to Sophie.

    By the way: there's an up-beat post coming tomorrow that I set in advance.

    Back to normal blogging then, I guess.

    Thanks again.

    - Chris

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  22. SC John23 January 2010 at 02:48

    Drax,

    So sorry to hear of this, to pass on while saving others is so truly noble, and speaks volumes of his character.

    It's sad that in real life, sometimes the hero doesn't make it.

    Condolences to all involved and Godspeed to him.

    John
    Santa Cruz Warhammer

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