Funerals of family killed in Canada plane crash can now be held, says coroner

Richard Hewitt, his wife Fiona and their children Felicity and Harry died instantly when the 20-minute seaplane trip they took on the last day of their dream holiday ended in disaster.

At the inquest opening this morning, Coroner Tom Osborne authorised the family to arrange funeral services and adjourned proceedings.

However, a date for the full inquest can not be set until the air accident investigators in Canada have sent their report to Milton Keynes Coroner’s Court.

The family from Shenley Church End had spent months planning their trip to Quebec. Bright teenagers Felicity, aged 17, and 14-year-old Harry attended Aylesbury High School and Aylesbury Grammar School respectively.

The Hewitts had saved a whale-spotting treat until the last day of their trip.

Their bodies were found in Quebec woodland after the plane crashed into the side of a mountain.

Harry, a talented squash player, was due to start his GCSEs this month while Felicity had just gained an “excellent” set of AS results.

Speaking at the inquest, Mr Osborne said: “It goes without saying that I would like to express my own and my team’s sincere condolences to the Hewitt family over the tragic circumstances.”

The relatives were not present at this morning’s hearing.