Shocked and numb: Mother of Wolverhampton man killed in Germanwings disaster speaks of her pain
The mother of Martyn Matthews said she felt 'numb' as it emerged her son was one of the 150 people killed in the Germanwings air disaster in the French Alps.
Speaking from her Wednesfield home, 82-year-old Iris Matthews paid a tearful tribute to her son who she described as a 'lovely family man'. She said: "This has been a terrible shock. I am numb. Martyn was a lovely family man. He loved his work and travelled extensively. I don't want to say any more. It's too hard." Mr Martyn, 50, lived in Bushbury with his wife Sharon, 48.
They had two children, Nathan 23, and Jade, 20.
He worked as a quality manager at Tipton-based Huf UK which makes parts for the car industry and is owned by the German-based Huf Group.
Leading the tributes, neighbour and colleague Margaret Goodyear said: "He was totally family-orientated and at the company he worked for, he will be very sorely missed.
"His family was his world.
"They will be completely devastated. I just don't know what they're going to do."
Mayor of Wolverhampton councillor Mike Heap said: "This crash was absolutely tragic and the fact that a businessman from Wolverhampton was on the plane is terrible.
"Heartfelt sympathies go to his family from everyone at Wolverhampton City Council.
"This is the second tragedy to hit the area. Sally Adey from Albrighton was killed in Tunisia last week. Our sympathies go to both families at this time.
"These are two awful tragedies in which two local people have lost their lives at such young lives. It's very sad."
Mr Matthews's local councillor Ian Angus said: "It's desperately sad news; my thoughts and condolences are with Mr Matthews's family at what is a very difficult time."
Wolves also paid tribute to Mr Matthews, who was a seasons ticket holder in the Steve Bull Stand. The flags at Molineux.
"Our hearts go out to everyone involved in this terrible accident and all of the families and friends of the passengers on board," said Wolves CEO Jez Moxey.
"We were extremely saddened to learn that among those passengers was Martyn, one of our long-standing season ticket holders in the Steve Bull Stand.
"The sincere condolences of everyone at the club go to Martyn's wife Sharon, and their grown-up children Nathan and Jade, and I am sure the thoughts of all Wolves supporters are with them at this desperately difficult time."
The flags at the front of Molineux have been lowered to half-mast in memory of Mr Matthews and all of the other passengers who lost their lives in the tragic aeroplane crash.
