ONE of the six men killed in the Morecambe Bay helicopter crash was born and grew up in Kent, it has been revealed.

Simon Foddering, 33, was first officer and co-pilot on board the helicopter that plunged into the sea on Wednesday last week during a routine flight ferrying workers on and off gas platforms 25 miles offshore.

Mr Foddering was born in Rainham and attended the town's Thames View Junior School and later the Howard School in Gillingham before joining the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment for six years.

He had a daughter and a son and was living in Fulwood, Preston, at the time of the tragedy. He was separated from his wife.

He was a keen sportsman and had played for Gillingham Anchorians during his time in the Mewday area.

Tributes have been paid to the “larger-than-life” character who has been described as “a fantastic pilot”.

His friend, Mark Timmins, of the Air Ambulance operation in North Wales, said: “It was an absolutely terrible shock to hear what had happened. Simon was a one-off, outgoing, character who loved life and loved his kids. He lived for life.

“He was a fantastic pilot and a good team member and was loved throughout the air ambulance world.”

Joe Collins, 34, who lived next door to Mr Foddering at his Lancashire home, said: “He was a fantastic guy and a devoted father to his two children.”

The helicopter crashed into the sea and broke up just seconds before it was due to land on one of the gas rigs.

Mr Foddering was regarded as a highly-experienced pilot and had flown for the Army Air Corps and the North West Air Ambulance Service in North Wales.

They say the accident happened so quickly and at such a critical point that neither he nor the pilot Stephen Potton had time to react to save the aircraft.

Coastguards recovered six bodies within hours of the disaster, but that of a seventh passenger has yet to be found.

Mr Foddering had been working for the CHC Scotia helicopter company for just more than a year, but had been due to leave for a new job in Scotland.

FULL STORY IN THE MEDWAY MESSENGER