Tributes to photographer Steven Fletcher who has died in a plane crash
TRIBUTES have been paid to a photographer who was killed in a plane crash in America at the weekend.
Steven Fletcher, 44, of Baston, was covering the Sebring Aircraft Exhibition for Stamford's Key Publishing when the accident happened.
The light aircraft, reported to be a Remos GX, crashed at about 7.45am local time at Sebring Regional Airport shortly after take-off. The pilot was injured in the crash and is said to be in a stable condition.
Mr Fletcher, who is married with two children, is believed to have gone up in the plane to take pictures of another aircraft in flight.
Paul Hamblin, group editor-in-chief of Key Publishing, which specialises in aviation titles, led the tributes. He said Mr Fletcher's death has shocked staff at the Gwash Way firm.
"He was a very popular aviation photographer who was very well respected, experienced and known throughout the world of aviation," he said.
"He had done this many times before and knew exactly what he was doing.
"Everyone is stunned and shocked and very sad as Steve was a popular guy and will be missed by everybody."
Mr Fletcher had been in Florida last week to cover the exhibition for Today's Pilot magazine with editor Dave Unwin.
Mr Unwin, who was not in the plane, is now working with American air accident investigators.
To pay your tributes to Steven Fletcher on this website, e-mail smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk
Michael Meirer, chief executive of Remos Aircraft, issued a statement about the crash.
He said: "We are overwhelmed with this loss and our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the victim's family.
"We will provide full co-operation with the authorities as they seek to determine the cause of this tragedy," said Mr Meirer.
Link to map of Florida and Sebring
Tributes:
Such a complete shock,a great guy and great friend. I`d known him since schooldays and know he died doing a job he really loved.
I can remember him telling me he was applying for the job at Key Publishing and needed to swat up on areoplanes. We went through all my books learning types and history like he was training for Mastermind..he was that keen to do well in the interview! My heart goes out to his family as we`re all feeling crushed and empty and he left many, many friends struggling to comprehend what`s happened. It better be a BIG church for his service...God Bless.
I've known Steve for over 15 years and goodness knows how many pints, kebabs, chicken tikka naan sandwiches, tall tales of derring do (mostly "when I was in GOA"), trips out on our motorbikes, baston cricket matches, airshows and car shows, his fabby barbecues or eating his great mexican food. He was a great photographer but was so much more: a great father and friend who lived his life to the full and never seemed to have a dull moment. I'm still wating for the next email or text from him with outrageous jokes and attachments to lighten my day and simply cannot believe it'll never come.
Goodbye mate, you'll never lose your quiff now.
Nick K
My sincere condolences to Steve's family. I worked with him at Key Publishing 14 years ago and he was one of the nicest people you could meet. Always friendly, helpful and full of the stories which earned him his oh so accurate nickname.
Ruth Sullivan
Life is for living and Steve certainly did that. I'll miss him, but the real tragedy is that he'll miss his kids growing up and his kids will be without a father.
Gary Parsons
Steve and I grew up together from the age of pre-school. My life experiences were one shared with each other.
Steve was the best friend anyone could have, he was always there, he laughed and cried with you.
Recently losing my own father, Steve comforted me with such genuine words and real compassion, a real mate, a friend and confidante.
I only hope I can offer such support as he has shown to so many.
Steve, I will always love and miss you. Your family will be safe as long as I shall be here.
Webby
I'm deeply saddened having only just heard the news. I shared many a long day working with Steve at Key and will miss him.
He was a great bloke, deepest condolences to all his family.
Tim Senior, London
Steve was a wonderful warm man who we wished we had known longer.
We will miss him and send all our love and sympathy to his wife and two children.
R & A Dummett
How sad I am to hear of Steve's tragic and untimely passing. He was a great guy who both myself and my fiance Karl had the pleasure of working and socialing with back when we worked at Key Publishing.
The last time we met was at Voujon while he was having a meal with his wife and I was pregnant and very overdue and willing my son to be born by trying to flush him out with a hot curry (it didn't work!) and he told us of his plans to hopefully move to California once his home in Baston had sold.
My fiance would see him most days on the back road to Baston on his way to work and they'd exchange a wave. The last time my fiance saw him he was just heading to Voujon for a meal so I think we'll pay our own little tribute to Steve and go for a curry at Voujon as he obviously liked it a lot and raise a glass of Cobra to him and remember what a top bloke he was and all the great nights out we had.
Our deepest sympathies to Sarah and his two little ones.
Tina Simmons
Charlock Drive, Stamford
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Monday 06 February 2012
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