SA family find comfort in MH17 report

The family of Durban-born MH17 air crash victim, Cameron Dalziel, said they felt some comfort hearing that he died quickly.

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Durban - The family of Durban-born MH17 air crash victim, Cameron Dalziel, 43, said on Tuesday they felt some comfort after news that those on board the shot-down plane lost consciousness within seconds of it being struck.

This was after the Dutch Safety Board presented its report on the tragedy to the victims’ relatives.

The plane was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in July last year when it was shot down over the Ukraine.

All 283 passengers and 15 crew were killed.

“Everyone wants to go as quickly as possible and I’m relieved he went the way he did, at least as opposed to suffering for a long time,” Dalziel’s brother, Campbell, said on Tuesday.

According to the main conclusions, the plane was shot down by a Russian-made Buk missile system.

When the Daily News spoke to Campbell on Tuesday, he said he was expecting a copy of the report.

“Look, nothing is going to bring him back,” Campbell said. “Still, this cannot be swept under the rug. Cameron’s death and the deaths of the others were unnecessary.”

Campbell had “countless, wonderful” memories of his brother, a pilot, but mentioned surfing with him and watching him play with his two sons, Sheldon and Cruz, as the ones that always came to mind.

“I’m glad those are the memories I can hold on to,” he said.

“I like to think Cameron, and the others on board the flight, died quickly and humanely. The less they knew about what was happening, the better.”

Campbell said his family, including his parents, Dalziel’s wife, Reine, and their children were trying to move on.

He commended the authorities for keeping the family informed during the investigation.

Daily News