This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34648810

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Father and son dead in Canada whale boat sinking Four Britons named in Canada whale boat sinking
(35 minutes later)
Two Britons who died when a whale-watching boat sank off the coast of western Canada have been named as a father and son from Swindon. Four Britons who died when a whale-watching boat sank off the coast of western Canada have been named.
David Thomas, 50, and his son Stephen, 17, were among five Britons who died. Stephen's mother Julie was among those rescued from Leviathan II. David Thomas, 50, and his son Stephen, 17, from Swindon were among those who died. Stephen's mother, Julie, was rescued from Leviathan II.
Jack Slater, 76, was also among the victims. He was born in Salford but had lived in Canada for many years. Also named among the dead are Jack Slater, 76, who was born in Salford but had lived in Canada for many years and 29-year-old Katie Taylor.
Canadian government investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.Canadian government investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.
Officials have said more of the 27 people on board could have died had it not been for the "amazing response" from locals around Tofino.Officials have said more of the 27 people on board could have died had it not been for the "amazing response" from locals around Tofino.
An Australian man is still missing.
'Shocked and saddened''Shocked and saddened'
The Down's Syndrome Association described Stephen as "a very talented young man and a gifted photographer". The Down's Syndrome Association described Stephen Thomas as "a very talented young man and a gifted photographer".
Chief executive Carol Boys said: "We were all delighted when Stephen's beautiful image 'Moraine Lake' won the national 'My Perspective' photographic competition last year."Chief executive Carol Boys said: "We were all delighted when Stephen's beautiful image 'Moraine Lake' won the national 'My Perspective' photographic competition last year."
She added: "Stephen's father, David, was a huge supporter of the Down's Syndrome Association and one of the driving forces behind the Swindon Down's Syndrome Group where he was a trustee."She added: "Stephen's father, David, was a huge supporter of the Down's Syndrome Association and one of the driving forces behind the Swindon Down's Syndrome Group where he was a trustee."
Mr Thomas worked for Microsoft. A statement from the company said they were "shocked and saddened" to hear the news.Mr Thomas worked for Microsoft. A statement from the company said they were "shocked and saddened" to hear the news.
Michel Van der Bel, Microsoft UK general manager, said: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their family, friends and David's colleagues and we will be doing everything we can to support them."Michel Van der Bel, Microsoft UK general manager, said: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their family, friends and David's colleagues and we will be doing everything we can to support them."
Mr Slater's family said he was a retired navy engineer who had lived in Canada for over 30 years. He was on the boat with his wife, Marjorie, who is being treated in hospital.
Corene Inouye, director of operations at Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centre, the company that owns the boat, said: "It appears the incident happened so quickly that the crew didn't have an opportunity to send out a Mayday."Corene Inouye, director of operations at Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centre, the company that owns the boat, said: "It appears the incident happened so quickly that the crew didn't have an opportunity to send out a Mayday."
She added the skipper of the ship has more than 20 years' whale-watching experience and had completed 18 years with the company.She added the skipper of the ship has more than 20 years' whale-watching experience and had completed 18 years with the company.
Company owner Jamie Bray said passengers on the boat were not required to wear life jackets as it has enclosed compartments, which would be difficult to exit in the event of a sinking.Company owner Jamie Bray said passengers on the boat were not required to wear life jackets as it has enclosed compartments, which would be difficult to exit in the event of a sinking.
Another whale-watching boat operated by the same company capsized in 1998, killing two people, including the boat operator and a tourist from Germany.Another whale-watching boat operated by the same company capsized in 1998, killing two people, including the boat operator and a tourist from Germany.
'Amazing response''Amazing response'
Greg Louie, chief councillor of the Ahousaht First Nation Elected Council, told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme that "possibly everyone" could have drowned or died of hypothermia had the local community not responded to the accident so quickly.Greg Louie, chief councillor of the Ahousaht First Nation Elected Council, told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme that "possibly everyone" could have drowned or died of hypothermia had the local community not responded to the accident so quickly.
The incident could have been "a lot worse", Lt Cmdr Desmond James of the Canadian Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in British Columbia said.The incident could have been "a lot worse", Lt Cmdr Desmond James of the Canadian Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in British Columbia said.
He added that 21 people would not have been rescued were it not for the "amazing response" by locals.He added that 21 people would not have been rescued were it not for the "amazing response" by locals.
The British victims included another male tourist and two British nationals who lived in Canada - one woman from British Columbia and a man from Ontario, according to the British Columbia coroner's office.
Australian Associated Press reported the missing 27-year-old Sydney man was on the boat with his girlfriend and her family when it sank.Australian Associated Press reported the missing 27-year-old Sydney man was on the boat with his girlfriend and her family when it sank.
His girlfriend's father was among the five Britons confirmed dead, the news agency said.His girlfriend's father was among the five Britons confirmed dead, the news agency said.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said his thoughts were with the family and friends of those affected by Sunday's incident.British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said his thoughts were with the family and friends of those affected by Sunday's incident.
Canadian prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau said he was "shocked and saddened" by the deaths.Canadian prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau said he was "shocked and saddened" by the deaths.
Whale watching off British ColumbiaWhale watching off British Columbia