DVT families' candles for victims

Airlines have denied any links with flying and DVT

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More than 200 relatives and friends of victims of air-related DVT gathered on Monday for a moving memorial service.

Families lit a candle for each of the known victims of so-called "economy class syndrome" during the service, organised by Victims of Air Related Deep Vein Thrombosis Association (Barda) and the Aviation Health Institute (AHI).

The service was the first time many of the victims' families and friends had met and was organised by Ruth and John Christoffersen, whose 28-year-old daughter Emma died in October 2000 after stepping off a long-haul flight from Australia.

Airlines have strongly denied any link between DVT and flying, but the Christoffersens, from Newport, south Wales, have been campaigning for more public awareness of the risks of condition.

I am sure, like us, you have asked many many times why?

Victim's mother Ruth Christofferson

Touching tributes were also made by the parents of young victims of the condition, which is said to affect one in 2,000 people each year.

There were also calls made for greater awareness of DVT and for more research to find preventative measures.

'Almost unbearable'

Ruth Christoffersen, who chairs Barda, said she hoped the service would bring comfort to all those gathered at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square, central London.

Ruth and John Christoffersen set up a support group

"The 30th of September 2000 has brought us here today - the day Emma was taken from us and since our grief has become almost unbearable.

"You will have your own dates embedded in your heart and I am sure, like us, you have asked many many times why?"

Mrs Christoffersen said many people were still unaware of the dangers of DVT and called for more action to highlight the health risks associated with air travel.

"Maybe the silver lining in the dark clouds is the hearts that make us feel things so deeply.

"It is the same strong, caring hearts that will lead us in our own journey to a better day," she told the congregation.

John was every parent's ideal son, very loving and loyal

Victim's mother Ada Thomas

More than 50 people from Wales alone made the trip to London.

Ada Thomas, from Barry, south Wales, paid tribute to her son John, who died from DVT in June 2000, 18 days after arriving back in the UK from his honeymoon in Hawaii.

"John was every parent's ideal son, very loving and loyal," she said.

'Pit of despair'

"We, his family, were very proud of him, not just because of his many academic achievements and his prowess as an excellent sportsman but because John was a brave man and he had principles."

Mrs Thomas said her son's death had shocked her family "to the core" and had left them "spiralling into a pit of despair."

The grief felt by those who lost someone to DVT was "so profound that it crushes the spirit and saps the very will to live", she added.

The service was led by the Rev Rosemary Lain-Priestley. In an AHI study of 544 cases of British passengers who suffered a blood clot after air travel during the past three years, 20% of the deaths occurred after short haul flights and 23% of those who died were under 40 years of age.

DVT was dubbed economy class syndrome because of suspected links between blood clots and cramped conditions such as those experienced on planes.

The whole issue of DVT and claims that it could be linked to long-distance flights is hugely controversial.

Last year a High Court ruling blocked DVT compensation claims against airlines.

Mr Justice Nelson ruled that DVT could not be classed as an "accident" under the terms of the Warsaw Convention.

Campaigners immediately pledged to fight the decision, which is a stumbling block for 55 people who want to sue 27 airlines for damages.