Page 8 - link magazine

Father and son die on ‘trip of a lifetime’ whilst whale watching

Tributes have poured in for Swindon distraugt when we heard the news.
father and son David and Stephen Our thoughts are with his mother
Thomas who died after their boat and brother at this difficult time.
capsized during a whale watching Minister for the Disabled Justin
trip off the west coast of Canada. Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon,
Five of the 27 people on board said he met Stephen earlier this
the tourist boat drowned, all of year on a visit to the Down’s
whom were British citizens, during Syndrome Group. “The loss of so
the tragedy at the end of October. many people’s lives whilst watching
Wife and mother Julie Thomas was wildlife was an utter tragedy.
amongst passengers rescued after “Stephen was the official
the stricken vessel capsized having photographer when I visited the
been hit by a freak wave. group; he was fun and cheeky, we
The holiday to Canada was a talked about our love for sport and
trip of a lifetime for photography dance music.
enthusiast 18-year-old Stephen, “I promised him that when he
who had Down’s Syndrome. was a bit older he would spend a
His father David, 50, was a huge day with me taking pictures. He
supporter of the Down’s Syndrome David and Stephen Thomas was such a smashing young lad,
Association and was one of the was eight years old. We were staff alike.” helped by his parents who were so
driving forces behind Swindon all delighted when Stephen’s Kirsty Winnan, one of his teachers, supportive of Stephen’s interests
Down’s Syndrome Group where he beautiful image ‘Moraine Lake’ said: “Stephen was rightly proud and also of the Down’s Syndrome
was clerk to the trustees. won the national ‘My Perspective’ of his well deserved A* GCSE Group.
Carol Boys, chief executive of the photographic competition in 2014.” photography and his Silver Arts “The whole of Swindon was
Down’s Syndrome Association, said: “All of our thoughts and Award.” devastated by the news; a really,
“Everyone at The Down’s Syndrome condolences are with the Thomas Fitness instructor Les Slinn really sad time.”
Association and the Swindon Down’s family at this terrible time.” expressed the shock felt with his The family from Peatmoor in West
Syndrome Group were deeply Stephen’s older brother was not on wife Clare. “Youngsters from the Swindon are members of Swindon
saddened to hear the news of the the trip. Down’s group come to the studio Gateway Church.
deaths of Stephen and David. Sue Banks, headteacher at to enjoy fitness sessions. Stephen Stephen’s photography can be
“Stephen was a very talented Isambard Community School, said: was a lovely, caring and always seen at www.stephensview.com
young man and a gifted “Stephen never used the term ‘I enthusiastic lad. He would help me David was also a keen photo-
photographer. His love of can’t’ and was constantly smiling. with some of the other children grapher and his images can be seen
photography started when he He was respected by students and during our gym sessions. We were at www.pixelexhibition.com

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8 swindonlink.com n December 2015