Young fisherman’s parents pay respect to their son

A tragedy at sea stole his young life a year ago today.

But the heartache is still fresh for the grief-stricken family of teenage fisherman Daniel McNeill.

The 16-year-old went missing when his boat and the Scottish Viking ferry collided five miles off the coast of St Abbs, Eyemouth, in August last year.

The popular student, from Tynemouth, was on the Homeland with his brother Joseph, 20, the boat’s skipper.

Daniel’s family searched for months after the accident and his remains were eventually recovered in November.

Today, one year on from the tragedy that shook the North Shields fishing community, Daniel’s family has paid tribute to the much-loved lad and spoken of the pain they still feel.

Daniel’s mother Michelle Thomson and his younger brother Luke, nine, will today make a poignant visit to the coast to remember the young fisherman.

Michelle, 46, said: “We’re going back to the beach at St Abbs where we searched for Daniel after it happened.

“The beach is actually quite a beautiful place and it’s where we want to go to have a walk along and a quiet moment to think about him.

“We just want to remember the good times and the happy times.

“We’re thinking of the positive, rather than the negative.”

A probe by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch produced an official account of the accident in March.

The report revealed readings from the bridge of the Scottish Viking which showed the officer at the helm of the 27,000-tonne ferry had over two minutes to try to avert the crash.

The sailor, a second officer, started working on the ship just four days prior to the accident.

It revealed the officer was warned by his lookout twice in the minutes leading up the tragedy, but did not manually steer the ship away until seconds before the accident.

The Scottish Viking, which was travelling at 26 miles an hour at the time of the crash, did not slow down until the captain arrived on the bridge some 20 seconds later.

An investigation into the accident by Lothian and Borders Police is still ongoing.

Daniel’s father Don, also a fisherman, said: “It is a difficult time for everyone. We won’t be going to sea today.

“The whole family misses Daniel very much.

“I know the police investigation is ongoing. It will be a long process but we’re hoping for a prosecution.”

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