CAPE TOWN — Two days after the explosion on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, in which Zimbabwean born ex-South African helicopter rescue pilot Cameron Dalziel and 297 others died, the airline has still not made contact with his bereft wife, Reine.
Dalziel’s sister Candice has provided Reine’s details to airline officials no fewer than three times.
Compounding the omission, the airline has refused to confirm to Dalziel’s parents, Meryll and Doug, that their son’s name was on the passenger manifest.
When Weekend Argus sister title the Sunday Tribune contacted the media hotline number on the Malaysian Airlines website, a spokesman said: “He is not the only person who died. It is taking time to verify details of the passengers. How do you know his family has called us with this information?”
On the airline’s website, a breakdown of the nationalities of the victims on flight MH17 lists: “United Kingdom – 10, including one dual UK/S Africa citizen.”
Dalziel travelled on a British passport, but was raised in Durban.
He had recently settled in Malaysia with his wife and two sons, Sheldon (14) and Cruz (4).
Dalziel was returning home from Amsterdam after completing a fixed-wing airplane training course when a land-to-air missile fired close to Ukraine’s Russian border, reportedly brought down the plane.
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Candice and her remaining brother, Campbell, were yesterday comforting their parents at their Umhlanga Rocks home.
Candice said her sister-in-law was being supported by Dalziel’s colleagues from the Canadian Helicopter Corporation.
She said Malaysian Airlines had provided no answers.
“We are desperate for the truth. The only way we can explain the loss of Cameron to his 14-year-old son, Sheldon, who worshipped him, is by getting honest answers.”
Clayson Monyela, Department of International Relations and Co-operation spokesman, said: “Because the victim was travelling on a British passport, our hands are tied.
International diplomatic protocol dictates that Britain must lead when it comes to seeking information on behalf of the family.” Candice heard the news while she was in Dubai on business, and immediately began making inquiries.
— IOL
