Essex widow waits to fly home

13 April 2012

A woman whose husband died after being swept up by a giant wave while swimming in the sea off the Maldives was today waiting to catch a flight home.

Tania Shields, 34, of Ridgewell, Essex, survived the tsunami but her husband Stuart, 37, was drowned.

The Rev Michael Hewitt, who married the couple at the Church of St Lawrence, seven years ago, said Mrs Shields had spoken to her mother to say she was alive and well but that Stuart had died.

Mr Hewitt said Mrs Shields was now waiting to fly home.

"I spoke to Tania's mother yesterday and she said Stuart had drowned and Tania would be flying home as soon as she can get a flight.

"They were a very nice couple, well liked and well known in the village. Stuart played for the local football team and was coaching until quite recently.

"They both ran a stall at last year's village fete.

"They had a successful marriage and went on a lot of holidays," Mr Hewitt said.
The couple had flown out to the Maldives a few days before the disaster for a three week holiday over Christmas and the New Year.

"It just brings it home to you. You see it on the television and you feel for the people but they are miles away, but when someone from the village is killed it makes you realise the world is such a small place," Mr Hewitt said.

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