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Germanwings plane crash victims: British men Martyn Matthews and Paul Andrew Bramley named alongside Manchester mother and baby killed on flight 4U9525

The Foreign Secretary said 'at least' three British citizens had died

Heather Saul,Lizzie Dearden
Wednesday 25 March 2015 05:40 EDT
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Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, who died in the Germanwings plane crash
Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, who died in the Germanwings plane crash (FCO)

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Two British men and a mother from Manchester travelling with her seven-month-old baby are among the 150 passengers and crew killed in the Germanwings plane crash.

Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, had been on holiday with friends in Barcelona and boarded flight 4U9525 on his way back to the UK via Dusseldorf to see his family.

Originally from Hull, Mr Bramley was studying hospitality and hotel management at Ceasar Ritz College in Lucerne, Switzerland, and was about to start an internship on 1 April.

His mother, Carol, had journeyed to the UK from her home in Majorca to meet him.

“Paul was a kind, caring and loving son. He was the best son, he was my world,” she said.

His father, Philip Bramley, who lives in Hull, said they are both deeply shocked and will miss him.

Marina Bandres Lopez-Belio, a 37-year-old Spanish national who lived in Rochdale, was on the plane with her seven-month-old son Julian Pracz-Bandres.

She was from Jaca in the Spanish Pyrenees but living in England with her husband, Pawel Pracz, who spoke today of his loss.

“Marina was visiting her family in Spain for her uncle’s funeral, she bought the tickets at the last moment, and decided to return to Manchester quickly as she wanted to return to her daily routine as soon as possible," he said.

“I'm with my closest family in Manchester, and in close contact with our family in Spain at this very difficult time.

"We are devastated and would like to request that we be allowed to grieve in peace as a family without intrusion at this difficult time.”

Mr Pracz said the family had been living in Manchester for seven years and his wife worked as an editor and colourist in the film industry.

The Spanish college she is believed to have attended sent its "most sincere condolences" to her family in a post on Facebook.

Martyn Matthews, a father of two from Wolverhampton, has been named locally as another of the British victims.

The 50-year-old was a Senior Quality Manager reportedly on business in Barcelona and was travelling to a meeting in Germany when the disaster happened.

Speaking today, his family said: “We are devastated at the news of this tragic incident and request that we are allowed to deal with this terrible news without intrusion at this difficult time.”

Martyn Matthews with his daughter Jade, wife Sharon and son, Nathan
Martyn Matthews with his daughter Jade, wife Sharon and son, Nathan (FCO)

Among the 150 people killed were 72 German citizens, 35 Spanish and passengers from Australia, Argentina, Iran, Venezuela, the US, the Netherlands, Colombia, Mexico, Japan, Denmark, Belgium and Israel.

One Spanish passenger was reported to be the wife of the chief of staff to Oriol Junqueras, the president of the Republican Left of Catalonia, according to Buzzfeed. She was not named but it believed to be 33-years-old.

Josep Sabate Casellas, a father of three, was another Spanish victim believed to have been on the flight. ABC Cataluna reports that he was expecting his fourth child.

Two German opera singers, Dusseldorf-born contralto Maria Radner and bass baritone Oleg Bryjak, were confirmed as travelling on the flight. Their presence on flight 4U 9525 was announced by Barcelona’s opera house, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, who said they were “stunned” by the news.

Two of the victims, Oleg Bryjak and Maria Radner
Two of the victims, Oleg Bryjak and Maria Radner

Ms Radner was described as “one of the most promising contraltos” who established herself with works by Mahler and Beethoven, according to a profile on Italartists Austroconcert.

The Gran Teatre del Liceu said Mr Bryjak and Ms Radner had recently performed in Siegfried in the roles of Alberich and Erda.

Tributes were paid to the Australian passengers Carol Friday, 68, and her 29-year-old son Greig, who were holidaying in Europe.

68-year-old Carol Friday from Melbourne, Australia (AFP)
68-year-old Carol Friday from Melbourne, Australia (AFP)

Ms Friday, a nurse for more than 40 years, was described as a “loving mother of two, a devoted wife to her husband, Dave, and a sister to three brothers” in a statement released by her family through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Greig was praised as “a loving son to Carol and Dave and an exceptional brother to his sister, Alex”, according to ABC News.

"Carol and Greig were enjoying a few weeks holiday together at the start of his European stay where Greig was to teach English this year," the family said.

29-year-old Greig Friday from Melbourne, Australia
29-year-old Greig Friday from Melbourne, Australia (AFP)

"They were both extraordinary and exceptional people who were loved by many, who they loved in return."

Two Colombian nationals were also on board the Germanwings flight, the country’s Foreign Ministry said.

Ms Tejada, a 36-year-old economist who was studying towards her doctorate in Germany, was visiting her husband in Barcelona, according to CNN. Mr Medrano was an architect who had spent time working in Equatorial Guinea.

Announcing that three Britons had died, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: “We cannot rule out the possibility that there are further British people involved.

Relatives at Barcelona’s El Prat airport on Tuesday
Relatives at Barcelona’s El Prat airport on Tuesday (Reuters)

“The level of information on the flight manifest doesn't allow us to rule out that possibility until we've completed some further checks.”

Speaking in the House of Commons today, David Cameron offered his “deepest condolences” to those who had lost loved ones in the crash.

The Prime Minister said: “It is heart-breaking to hear about the schoolchildren, the babies, the families whose lives have been brought to an end.

“The Foreign Office is working urgently to establish whether any further British nationals were among those on board.”

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