A STEADY stream of church visitors were today paying tribute to the 16 victims of helicopter flight 85N which crashed off the North-east coast.
Today, one man fled the chapel in floods of tears after paying tribute to those who were lost in the helicopter crash.
And a number of people consoled each other in the pews of the back chapel as they cried.
This afternoon’s visitors also included Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond.
He said: “We’re fortunate to have the facility like the one here at St Nicholas Kirk.”
Chaplain to the North Sea oil and gas industry, the Rev Andrew Jolly, said a steady stream of people left flowers and signed a book of condolences at the church.
Comments in the book included: “A tragedy for our whole community, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families” and “I’m so very sorry, my thoughts are with you all”.
Others wrote: “To all of my buddies at sea” and “May these poor souls rest in peace and all our thoughts are with you and your families”.
North-east businesses also left their names and condolences. A purple and white wreath was on display with a card signed by Wood Group and a red and white wreath was labelled “deepest sympathies” and signed by BP.
The Rev Jolly said: “A lot of people have been bringing in flowers.
“One or two knew individuals involved in the crash.
“They have been clearly upset and I was able to spend some time with them.
“We felt it was important the facility should be there so people can offer their condolences or simply escape the hustle and bustle and spend some time in quiet thought.”
The minister has spent much of his time talking to staff at BP and KCA Deutag who lost 10 colleagues in the disaster that claimed 16 lives when the Bond Super Puma crashed around 14 miles off the North-east coast.
He also said the grief-stricken relatives of one of those who died had already been in touch with him.
Mr Jolly said that in the coming days he would contact the other victims’ families, offering whatever support he could.
In his role as oil industry chaplain, he has already seen the pain and suffering caused by a previous helicopter accident.
He had helped in the aftermath when a helicopter crashed in the Irish Sea, killing five offshore workers.
“People are shocked and upset, as I am,” he said.
“Although I was involved in the Morecambe Bay tragedy two-and-a-half years ago, this has involved a much bigger loss of life and its impact has been felt by a great many people.”
The foundations for the oil chaplaincy were laid in 1986 by the Rev Andrew Wylie, who began a pilot scheme in Aberdeen shortly before the Chinook helicopter tragedy when 45 oilmen were killed off Shetland in 1986.
It also played a crucial role in the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988.
An oil chapel was opened to mark the 25th anniversary of the discovery of North Sea oil and was dedicated at a service in June 1990 which was attended by the Princess Royal.
It was due to open until 5pm today and Mr Jolly was hopeful it could stay open over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Dons have announced there will be a tribute to those who died before the next home game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Pittodrie next Saturday.
Both sides will wear black armbands during the match.
KCA Deutag, who had 10 men on board the helicopter, this afternoon said an aid centre for those affected by the crash will open on Monday.
Groups like the oil industry chaplaincy, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army were being invited to help support family and friends at the Aberdeen centre.
Visitors will have access to counseling services, police family liaison officers, ministers, KCA Deutag management and staff.
The firm’s chief executive Holger Temmen said: “A disaster such as this is always a shock but in this case the shock and sadness is so much closer to home.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who lost their lives.”
fmcwhirter@ajl.co.uk