Boy (14) among three Britons killed in quake
Death toll from disaster that devastated trio of small towns in Italy now stands at 278
A 14-YEAR- OLD boy on holiday with his parents is among three Britons killed in the deadly earthquake that rocked central Italy.
A married couple from south London also perished following the 6.2 magnitude quake that struck early on Wednesday, leaving 278 people dead and levelling three small towns.
Their devastated families paid tribute to “the tireless work of the Italian rescue workers and hospital staff ” as the Queen made a donation to support search and rescue efforts.
A joint statement from their families issued by the Foreign Office said: “It is with sadness that we can confirm the deaths of Maria (51) and Will Henniker- Gotley (55), and Marcos Burnett (14), in the earthquake at Amatrice, Italy, on August 24.
“Their families have paid tribute to the tireless work of the Italian rescue workers and hospital staff and expressed their gratitude for the love and sup- port they have received from the Italian people. Their thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the earthquake.”
The Foreign Office was providing support to the families, it added.
A state of emergency has been declared in the areas affected and aftershocks have continued to strike, including one of a pre- liminary magnitude of 4.7 yesterday morning.
The Queen donated an unspecified amount to the British Red Cross, of which she is a patron, to support the Italian Red Cross in its relief efforts, Buckingham Palace said.
She and the Duke of Edinburgh had previously said they were “saddened to hear of the loss of life” and sent their “thoughts and prayers” to the “people of Italy, especially the family and friends of those affected”.
Cornwall-based charity Shelterbox has sent a team over to Italy to assist with setting up accommodation for those displaced by the disaster, while the British Red Cross has set up a section on its website for donations to be sent to its Italian counterparts.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, meanwhile, announced that for a month £2 from each Pasta Amatriciana dish sold at his restaurant will be sent to help relief efforts.
It is believed Mr and Mrs Henniker- Gotley owned a property in Sommati, a village about 1.3 miles from Amatrice. Their two children, believed to be aged 12 and 14, survived, but their condition is unknown.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “They were lovely. They were a lovely family. “It’s very hard to take in. “They were very warm and friendly, extremely good neighbours. It’s just so awful to think of their children.”
She added: “I think Maria’s father came from the village and was possibly born there. When he was ill — he has since died — they bought a house there and they go out every summer.”
Marcos and his family were staying with the Henniker- Gotleys.
His parents Anne-Louise and Simon Burnett were both taken to hospital, and their daughter also survived. Her condition is unknown.
The mother and father were initially taken to separate hospitals 40 miles from each other, where she was treated for facial fractures and he was being treated for a broken leg.