20th June 2022 | News in your area

Papa India 50th Anniversary Commemorations

On Saturday 18th June, The Lord-Lieutenant attended the Papa India 50th Anniversary Commemorations at St Mary’s Church and at the Memorial in Moormede Park.

The service was to remember all those who lost their lives on the afternoon of Sunday 18th June 1972 when a Trident Aircraft of BEA – G-ARPI, took off from Heathrow bound for Brussels. As it crossed Staines Moor, it stalled and fell out of the sky onto land near the A30. All 118 lives aboard were lost.

All of those associated with that dreadful event, have their own memories, but Staines long lacked a memorial to the tragedy, so that those who wish to reflect, may do so with dignity.

In 2004 the window which we see today, and the memorial garden at Moormede were dedicated. Each year a service is held on the Sunday nearest to the 18th of June in memory of the lives lost in that disaster.

The “Papa-India” disaster was the worst aircraft accident in British history, and with the exception of the Lockerbie outrage, that remains so today.

Share

Related News Stories

news image-8159
Four day celebrations will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe in May

The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day will be marked this year with a series of events and celebrations […]

View More
news image-8138
Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy Conference

On Tuesday 11th March, The Lord Lieutenant was pleased to welcome, as patron to Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy, over 100 […]

View More
news image-8131
King’s Award for Voluntary Service Presentation to Manorcroft United FC

On Sunday 23rd March, The Lord-Lieutenant, accompanied by Deputy Lieutenant, Shahid Azeem, presented Manorcroft United FC with their King’s Award […]

View More