Osborne pays tribute to ‘brave’ oil workers

The three men and one women killed when a Super Puma plunged into the sea off Shetland were remembered at a conference in Aberdeen.

George Osborne paid tribute to the “brave” workers during a speech to the Offshore Europe 2013 conference.

“Our thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues at this time,” he said.

“The book of condolence here shows the depth of feeling for those who lost their lives and were injured.”

Earlier Mr Osborne joined delegates in standing for a minute’s silence led by conference chair Malcolm Webb.

There were 14 survivors of the crash on August 23 which took the lives of Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham; George Allison, 57, from Winchester, Hampshire; Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin, Moray and 59-year-old Gary McCrossan, from Inverness.

Super Puma flights were suspended following the accident but resumed after experts ruled there was no evidence to suggest a technical problem was to blame.

The Chancellor travelled to the Montrose oil and gas field later in the day, one of the North Sea’s oldest.

Mr Osborne said he recognises the “vital” role the oil and gas industry plays in the UK economy and told workers they are not being taken for granted.

The UK Government is committed to playing its part in delivering investment to secure the industry’s future, he said.

Mr Osborne had earlier signed the book of condolence at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

The Chancellor also paid 
tribute to the 167 people killed in the Piper Alpha disaster 25 years ago, which he described as “a tragedy that leaves an indelible mark in Aberdeen and on the industry”.

He said: “Let us pay our respects to the brave professionals who lost their lives last month, and on that terrible night 25 years ago.

“To their families and friends in whose memories they live on.

“To those who survived and the rescue teams who helped them do so.”

He added: “The whole of the UK owes a massive debt to the thousands of men and women who work in what is an inherently dangerous environment.”