Best man is told of quake horror

A West Yorkshire man who was due to travel to Sri Lanka to act as a best man has told how the couple's wedding was overtaken by the Asia earthquake.

Peter Derbyshire, from Heckmondwike, had been due to officiate at his friend Paul Senior's beachside wedding on New Year's Eve.

But in text messages from Mr Senior he has been told the island is devastated and the couple are trying to get home.

"They've lost everything and there's no electricity" said Mr Derbyshire.

Rumbling noise

"I phoned him as I'm his best man and he said they're trying to get to Colombo for a flight home.

"He said they heard a large rumbling noise and there were people running and screaming everywhere.

"The water was catching them up (as they ran) and they took refuge in a temple.

"The place is devastated, they've lost everything, cases, wedding dresses...virtually everything.

"The place is pitch black at night because there's no electricity.

"He said we should not text him anymore because he wants to save the battery in his mobile phone.

"He said the stench was terrible, a complete disaster.

"He sounded a little shook up. One of his last texts said...'don't attempt to come, everything's gone'."