‘We just want Cameron home’ Dalziel family
Cameron Dalziel’s brother Campbell said if his sibling’s remains were returned to South Africa, there would be a paddle out to spread his ashes over the Indian Ocean.
‘HOW does any family prepare for this? The truth is you can’t’. These were the heart wrenching words of Campbell Dalziel, who today spoke of the indelible mark left by his brother’s tragic passing which will forever remain with the Dalziel family
Cameron, a former uMhlanga resident was among the 298 people on board the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 that was reportedly shot down over the Ukraine last week.
“There are good days and bad days for us but every morning we are faced with the stark reality of his death. We are devastated. In some way I was prepared for this with Cameron’s profession. He used to say a good landing was one you walked away from.
“We just want him home, he loved this country. Though the pain will eventually fade, the scar will forever be etched into our memories,” he said.
South African authorities have collected DNA samples from Dalziels parents. The forensics team have flown out on the family’s behalf in the hope of identifying Cameron’s body.
On Tuesday, the first bodies recovered from the MH17 crash arrived in Holland. In stark contrast to the distressing treatment of the bodies in Eastern Ukraine, the Dutch handling of the ceremony was touching. The Last Post was played before bodies were moved by military personnel one at a time into 40 individual hearses parked on the tarmac.
“After seeing how the bodies were mishandled in the Ukraine to the moving ceremony in Holland, my faith in humanity was restored. Every family wants closure. It all depends on how long investigations and repatriation take. I hope and pray Cameron was in one of the coffins,” an emotional Campbell said.
He also thanked the Durban North and uMhlanga community for their overwhelming support over the last week.
Campbell added if his brothers remains arrive in South Africa, there would be a paddle out to spread his ashes over the Indian Ocean.
“We both grew up around the ocean, it was Campbell’s sanctuary and he loved being out there. It’s what he would want,” he said.
The memorial of Cameron Dalziel will take place on Thursday, 31 July at Virginia Airport, at Starlite Aviation Hanger.
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Hi Campbell,
Please pass this message on to your parents Doug & Meryll. Anne & My sincerest condolences for your great loss.I trust you will find peaceful closure in good time .
I have been trying to find a contact email address for Doug for weeks in order to write but finally hit on the idea of trying your facebook page.
Best Wishes ,
Wally Vermeulen