The father of a British man killed in the Alps air crash said that the airlines must make sure that our finest pilots are looked after properly.
Philip Bramley, father of Paul Bramley who died in the crash, said that he didnt want to know what the motive was of the Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz suspected of deliberately crashing the airliner into the French Alps, killing all 150 people onboard.
Im making this statement on behalf of myself, Pauls mum, Carol, and all our family. What happened on the morning of 24 March was the act of someone who was at the very least, ill. If there was a motive or a reason, we dont want to hear it, its not relevant. What is relevant is this should never happen again, said Bramley as he read a statement in the town of Seyne les Alpes.
More important to Bramley was that his son Paul and everyone on board the plane was not forgotten. He also thanked all the people who have helped and supported him and his family in France during this difficult time.
My son and everyone on that plane should not be forgotten, ever. I dont want it to be forgotten. I will not get him back or be able to take him home because of the nature of the impact. Me and my family will visit here forever. The people of France have helped me and my family in every aspect. Theyve been dignified, weve been showed compassion and everyone has been with us in our sorrow.
The Police, doctors, nurses have put their arms around us and helped us through this unbearable time. The French people can be proud of the army of wonderful volunteers who have embraced us. The politicians of every country, the foreign office in London and everyone who has helped us that most people do not even know exist have supported us in our time of need. I will never be able to thank all of them enough in dealing with things no-one should have to see, he said.
German authorities said on 27 March they had found torn-up sick notes showing the co-pilot had been suffering from an illness that should have grounded him on the day of the tragedy. Germanwings, the budget airline of the flag carrier Lufthansa, has said he did not submit a sick note at the time.
German newspaper Welt am Sonntag quoted a senior investigator as saying the 27-year-old was treated by several neurologists and psychiatrists, adding that a number of medications had been found in his Duesseldorf apartment.
Bramley called on the airlines to be more transparent and to do more to support the pilots who we all put our trust in.
I believe the airlines should be more transparent, and our finest pilots looked after properly. We put our lives and our childrens lives in their hands. I want to see the cloud over this town lifted and the natural beauty be restored, and not to remembered by the action of a single person, said Bramley.
The New York Times on Saturday quoted officials as saying Lubitz had also sought treatment for vision problems that may have jeopardised his ability to work as a pilot.
