From the Evening Chronicle:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/body-lost-newcastle-united-fan-7689963
The body of lost Newcastle United fan John Alder has been identified in the Netherlands
The family of the devoted Toon fan, who was killed in Ukraine aboard flight Malaysia Airlines MH17, hope he will be home soon
The body of lost Toon fan John Alder has been identified in the Netherlands.
Loved ones are now preparing to bring the football fanatic home to Tyneside, ending weeks of turmoil.
Johnâs sister Joyce Robbins received the news this week that parts of Johnâs body had been identified in Holland.
The 63-year-oldâs fingerprints and photographic evidence of his face were used in the painstaking identification process.
John, of Deckham, Gateshead, a Newcastle United season ticket holder, was travelling to New Zealand to watch his team play in a pre-season friendly alongside fellow football fanatic Liam Sweeney, 28, when their plane was shot down over war-torn eastern Ukraine.
The news that John, who was known as âThe Undertakerâ because he always wore a suit to the games, has been identified came through Liamâs dad Barry.
The 52-year-old, of Killingworth, said Joyce was âstill finding it hard to come to terms with the death of her brotherâ.
Barry, a full-time carer to wife Lesley, said: âItâs a difficult time for Joyce and the family and our thoughts are with them.
âJoyce is still finding Johnâs death difficult to come to terms with, especially as Liamâs funeral was last week.
âWe just hope John is brought home soon.â
It is not yet known when John will be brought back to Tyneside as the identification process continues.
All 298 people on board Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight MH17 were killed.
In total 173 have been positively identified.
At last his family will be able to begin the process of having his body laid to rest.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/body-lost-newcastle-united-fan-7689963
The body of lost Newcastle United fan John Alder has been identified in the Netherlands
The family of the devoted Toon fan, who was killed in Ukraine aboard flight Malaysia Airlines MH17, hope he will be home soon
The body of lost Toon fan John Alder has been identified in the Netherlands.
Loved ones are now preparing to bring the football fanatic home to Tyneside, ending weeks of turmoil.
Johnâs sister Joyce Robbins received the news this week that parts of Johnâs body had been identified in Holland.
The 63-year-oldâs fingerprints and photographic evidence of his face were used in the painstaking identification process.
John, of Deckham, Gateshead, a Newcastle United season ticket holder, was travelling to New Zealand to watch his team play in a pre-season friendly alongside fellow football fanatic Liam Sweeney, 28, when their plane was shot down over war-torn eastern Ukraine.
The news that John, who was known as âThe Undertakerâ because he always wore a suit to the games, has been identified came through Liamâs dad Barry.
The 52-year-old, of Killingworth, said Joyce was âstill finding it hard to come to terms with the death of her brotherâ.
Barry, a full-time carer to wife Lesley, said: âItâs a difficult time for Joyce and the family and our thoughts are with them.
âJoyce is still finding Johnâs death difficult to come to terms with, especially as Liamâs funeral was last week.
âWe just hope John is brought home soon.â
It is not yet known when John will be brought back to Tyneside as the identification process continues.
All 298 people on board Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight MH17 were killed.
In total 173 have been positively identified.
At last his family will be able to begin the process of having his body laid to rest.
