Air France body is missing Scot

Joyce and Graham Gardner on their wedding day in 2001

A body found following last month's Air France crash over the Atlantic has been formally identified as Graham Gardner, from Inverclyde.

The 52-year-old, who lived in Gourock with his wife Joyce, was among 228 people on the Airbus A330 which crashed en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris.

Mr Gardner's wife said she would miss him enormously but was relieved to be able to bring his body back home.

Mr Gardner worked as a ship's master for Aberdeen-based firm, Subsea 7.

In a statement issued by the company, Mrs Gardner said: "Although the finality of being told Graham is no longer with us was a shock, I feel relieved and grateful that we are now going to be able to bring Graham home where he belongs.

Graham made a valuable contribution to the company over many years Mel Fitzgerald Subsea 7

"As a family this will allow us to rebuild our lives, which is what Graham would have wanted.

"The authorities have kept us informed every step of the way and we know the rescue teams have done all they possibly can but it has been the uncertainty of not knowing whether Graham's body would be found which has been hardest to deal with.

"I will miss Graham enormously."

Mr Gardener is also survived by his mother, Sarah Gardner, and his sisters Iris and Anna.

'Highly regarded'

Mel Fitzgerald, chief executive of Subsea 7, said: "Our thoughts remain with Graham's wife Joyce and all his family on hearing this latest news.

"We hope that finding Graham's body will be a comfort to them all and will help them to come to terms with Graham's untimely death.

"Graham was a well respected and highly regarded employee of Subsea 7 who made a valuable contribution to the company over many years. We will continue to provide support to Joyce and her family."

Mr Gardner studied at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies and later graduated as a Master Mariner.

He had been in the Merchant Navy all his adult life and served on vessels ranging from ferries and tankers to container ships.

For the past four years he had been based in Brazil on a month-on, month-off contract.