Bodies of couple returned

The bodies of a former Shrewsbury woman and her partner, who were killed after they emigrated to New Zealand, have been flown back to England.

Vivien Butler, known by her middle name Jodie, and Jonathan Hale, both 31, died in a crash on a charity motorbike ride on December 2 - just a couple of months after starting a new life on the other side of the world.

Her father, Terry Butler, of Broseley, and brother Rod Butler, 40, of Cruckton, flew out to New Zealand where they attended an emotional memorial service at the crash site near Fairlie, with Jonathan's father John Hale.

A white cross with bronze tribute plate now marks the site on State Highway 79 where the couple, who were due to get married next year, and Timaru father and daughter Gavin and Olivia MacDonald, died.

Members of the MacDonald family, Bronz riders, a Salvation Army representative and police also showed their respects.

John Hale and Terry Butler spoke of how much the couple had loved New Zealand.

Twelve months to the day, on December 2, 2008, Mr Hale intends to return to New Zealand with a small casket of their ashes and scatter them in a spot where they loved to fish.

As a permanent memorial the Pleasant Point community is also constructing a park bench to the couple.

Their funeral will be held on Friday at Wordsley's Holy Trinity Church at 12.30pm.