ONE of the four victims of the Super Puma crash off Shetland only transferred to the helicopter at the last moment because he had a bad back.
The family of Gary McCrossan paid tribute to him as a "fun, loving guy" whose death in Friday's tragedy, along with other workers from a North Sea rig, had left a 'void' in their lives.
One colleague revealed Mr McCrossan, 59, from Inverness, had originally been due to come off the North Sea Borgsten Dolphin platform yesterday, but was transferred to an earlier flight after suffering the bad back.
The workmate, who did not wish to be identified because he feared he would face disciplinary action for speaking out, said: "Poor Gary was always happy, always had a joke for you. He wasn't due to come off until Monday but because he had a bad back they put him off on Friday. How unlucky can you get? It's just shocking.
"It is diabolical that people have to take their lives in their hands just to go to work. But if you don't get on the damned thing you don't make a wage. However, if you speak out, you don't work. That's the bottom line.
"As far as the Super Pumas were concerned he said it was a calculated risk every time workers got into them. And we breathe a sigh of relief when we get out."
In a statement issued through the police, Mr McCrossan's family spoke of the hole his death had left. The contractor died along with caterer Sarah Darnley, 45, of Elgin, Moray; Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland; and George Allison, 57, from Winchester.
They were travelling in a Super Puma AS332L2 operated by CHC, which came down in the North Sea as it was coming in to land at Sumburgh. It was carrying 16 passengers and two crew.
The pilot is still in hospital with back injuries, while the co-pilot is now recovering at home.
The McCrossan family's statement said: "A deep void has been left in our lives. Gary was a loving fiance - long-time partner to Fiona, devoted father to Niki and Freya, grandpa to Cohen, loving brother to Maureen, Frank and Kenny and best friend and confidant to many.
"He was a fun, loving guy who was full of life, a great story-teller - who always kept you guessing.
"Gary left a piece of himself in everyone he encountered and will be greatly missed. We walk each day in his honour."
Heather Milne, of Stork Technical Services, where Mr McCrossan worked, said: "We are extremely sad to lose Gary, and our thoughts and support continue to be with the family at this very difficult time.
"Gary was a valued colleague whose services Stork engaged on many projects over the past 10 years. He will be sadly missed by all in the industry and at Stork who knew and worked with him."
Meanwhile, First Minister Alex Salmond signed a book of condolence opened by the Oil and Gas Chaplaincy at the Kirk Of St Nicholas, Aberdeen.
Mr Salmond said "The safety of our offshore workers is of paramount importance and it is entirely appropriate that, on recommendations of the Helicopter Safety Steering Group, Super Puma flights are suspended while the Air Accidents Investigation Branch takes forward its inquiry into this tragedy.
"With an incident of this magnitude, there is a great deal of speculation as to the cause. This is understandable but not always helpful and it is better that the AAIB is given the time and space to pursue its inquiry."
However, the Unite union is calling for the Scottish Government to support the fast-track of Fatal Accident Inquiry reforms and for an emergency Scottish Parliamentary debate into offshore health and safety following the helicopter crash.
The search is continuing for other fragments of the crashed Super Puma after the main fuselage was pulled out of the sea on Sunday.
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