Family's grief as search for missing man called off

2:38pm Monday 12th May 2008

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A SHELL-SHOCKED family are grieving at home this week after the search for missing North Petherton businessman Nigel Hodges was called off.

As reported in the Mercury, Mr Hodges was aboard a light aircraft carrying three other Britons when it vanished off the eastern coast of Brazil on May 2.

Mr Hodges' wife Maureen and son Elliot flew to Brazil to join the search last Tuesday but were immediately greeted with the devastating news that wreckage of a plane had been found.

Despite a major operation by the Brazilian authorities, none of the missing men have been found and the search was called off on Friday.

Elliot, who arrived back in Britain on Sunday, told the Mercury: "We were informed as soon as we arrived that some wreckage had been found.

"Our initial dreams of finding dad and helping with the search were shattered immediately and it became more of a case of doing what we could to get a bit of closure while we were there.

"Mum was absolutely brilliant. Even though we were obviously shell-shocked by the news she didn't let her emotions get the better of her and got on with trying to find out as much information as possible from the consulate."

Elliot said he and his mother held a memorial service for Mr Hodges in Brazil, where prayers were read and flowers were thrown into the sea.

The family is now considering holding a memorial for Mr Hodges on May 22, which would have been his 53rd birthday.

Elliot added: "It still hasn't really sunk in yet that now we are without our father and my mum is without her husband.

"My brothers and sister who stayed behind have just been trying to keep busy and live as normal a life as possible.

"The feeling in North Petherton has been one of shock, but we have had so many messages and cards of support, which has helped us."

Rev Sue Rose, the vicar of St Mary's Church, in North Petherton, said the thoughts and prayers of parishioners were with the Hodges family.

She said: "As soon as we heard that the plane was missing the church began praying and we have continued to do so."

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