Widow of Algeria terror victim
tells of pride for ‘amazing’ man

Six UK nationals are thought to have died in last week’s terror attack at the In Amenas plant.

The Foreign Office issued a statement from the family of Sebastian John which said he would be eternally missed.

His wife Nicola John said: “Sebastian was the most amazing person. He was a fantastic husband, father, son and brother. There won’t be a moment that goes by where we won’t think of him.

“We are so proud of Sebastian for all he achieved in his life. He was taken away from us too early and in the most tragic circumstances.

“We will always love him, he will be forever in our hearts and eternally missed.”

A spokesman for the independent Norwich School, where Mr John was an Arkwright scholar, confirmed he attended between 1997 and 2004.

He then went to Loughborough University where he achieved a first class honours degree in civil engineering in 2009. It is understood he subsequently lived in the Nottingham area.

A former president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Richard Coackley, also paid tribute.

“Sebastian was a talented young civil engineer with the world at his feet. His mild-mannered, supportive nature made him a pleasure to be around and his commitment and passion for his work and his young family shone through in all that he did.

“It was an absolute honour and a pleasure to have him as my apprentice last year and I know he will be greatly missed by all.

“I join everyone in mourning with Sebastian’s family and friends for the tragic loss of a great young man and civil engineer.”

A total of 37 foreign workers are believed to have died at the remote desert facility – part-operated by BP – which was overrun by heavily-armed terrorists in a dawn raid last Wednesday. It was claimed the attack was carried out in retaliation for the French-led military mission against al-Qaida linked militants in Mali.

Some 29 of the terrorists died, while three were captured by Algerian troops during a special forces mission.

Three of the Britons killed have been named as 46-year-old security expert Paul Morgan, systems supervisor Garry Barlow, 49, from Liverpool, and 59-year-old planning manager Kenneth Whiteside, from Glenrothes, Fife.

Colombian BP executive Carlos Estrada, who lived in London, is also believed to have died.

Another Briton reported to have died in the siege is Carson Bilsland, from Perthshire, a former member of the British speed ski team.

BP group chief executive Bob Dudley has said the company “feared the worst” for four of its 18 employees who have not been found safe.

“It is with great sadness that I now have to say that we fear the worst for them all. We are doing all we can to support their families and ask everyone to show them consideration and to respect their privacy.”

The family of one British survivor have said they are overjoyed he is safe and well, but need time to come to terms with what has happened.

In a statement issued through the Foreign Office, Lou Fear’s loved ones said: “The family is greatly relieved by Lou’s safe return.

“This has been a very traumatic experience for the whole family, especially Lou. Our thoughts are with Lou’s colleagues and their families.”

The Foreign Office refused to confirm any further details but it is believed Mr Fear, 56, lives in Louth, Lincolnshire, and walked for 20 hours to reach safety.