Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tributes paid to honeymoon couple killed in Maldives

Alistair Keely,Pa
Monday 08 August 2011 08:10 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Tributes have been paid to a British couple who were killed in a quadbiking accident while on their honeymoon in the Maldives.

Jonathan and Emma Gray, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, were found injured on Friday on a roadside at the Kuredu Island Resort and Spa where they were staying.

Mr Gray was in his 20s and his new wife was 25. They had a young child who did not go with them on the honeymoon and is being looked after by a grandparent in the UK.

Around a dozen floral tributes were left at the couple's home in Halifax yesterday, with teddy bears and an empty bottle of champagne.

Friends of the couple visited the house to lay flowers and console each other.

Later, the brother of Emma Gray, who did not give his name, arrived at the property and described them "as a wonderful couple".

He added: "It is all too raw at the moment."

A neighbour of the couple, who did not want to be named, described them as a "golden couple".

Mrs Gray was a teacher at Holy Trinity Primary School in Halifax.

School governor the Rev Martin Russell paid tribute to her.

He said: "She was a very popular teacher at our school, a very genuine person and very enthusiastic. She loved her children. She was very popular with the staff.

"When the children heard she was getting married it was big news at the school. There was an end of term service in the church a few weeks ago and a special presentation was made to her in which she skipped up the aisle.

"When we heard the news about her tragic death everybody was absolutely devastated," he added.

Mr Russell said a special service had been held in memory of Mrs Gray at Holy Trinity and St Jude's Church.

Maldives Police Service said officers are investigating what happened to the honeymooners.

A manager at Kuredu refused to comment while the police investigation was ongoing.

A third person was also injured in the crash and is in hospital.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the deaths of two British Nationals in Kuredu Island Resort and Spa, Maldives, on August 6 2011.

"Our thoughts are with the families at this sad time.

"We are providing consular assistance and liaising with both the police and the local authorities."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in