Final Titanic hero dies
2002-05-30 08:52
Pietermaritzburg - The last Titanic rescuer, Herbert "Pops" Johnston, has died aged 104 after lapsing into a coma at the Mbango Frail Care Home, Port Shepstone on Tuesday.
Johnston was a crew member of the Carpathia in 1912 when their vessel answered a distress call from the Titanic after it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York.
When the Carpathia arrived in South Africa almost 40 years ago, Johnston jumped ship and settled in this country.
Johnston celebrated his 100th birthday in 1997 and received congratulatory telegrams from Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth.
He is survived by three children, six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Margate Methodist Church on June 5.