Family hopes to bring body home

2003-03-24 18:33

Cape Town - The family of Sholto Hedenskog, one of eight soldiers who were killed when their US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed, hope to bring their son's body home.

Hedenskog was among eight British and four American soldiers who were killed when their US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed. According to military officials the crash was an accident.

Hedenskog's uncle, Bruce Hedenskog, speaking from his home in Somerset West on Monday, said the British authorities had been very helpful.

"You have no idea how good these people have been."

He said it had been his nephew's lifelong ambition since the age of 14 to join the Royal Marines and he had graduated in November 2000.

"He loved the idea of adventure and when he became a marine he was totally dedicated," Hedenskog said. "He never relinquished his South African citizenship."

He said his nephew attended school at Valhalla Primary in Pretoria and then Sutherland High in Centurion before going on to Rhodes where he obtained a degree.

Sholto Hedenskog is survived by his parents Nick and Tertia Hedenskog and two sisters, Megan and Eva.

- SAPA