'Vibrant, outgoing and lovely': Family pay tribute to Lichfield woman killed in Canada boat tragedy
The family of a Staffordshire woman who died after a whale-watching boat sank off the coast of Canada have said she was a "vibrant, outgoing and lovely young woman".
Katie Taylor, 29, from Lichfield, was among five Britons killed when the boat overturned near Vancouver Island on Sunday.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, her family said: "Katie was a vibrant, outgoing and lovely young woman. She will be very much missed by all of her family and many friends.
"We would ask that you respect our privacy at such a difficult time."
Ms Taylor had been living in the ski resort town of Whistler in British Columbia.
David Thomas, 50, and his 18-year-old son Stephen, from Swindon, Wiltshire, were among those who died when the Leviathan II capsized.
Nigel Hooker, 63, from Southampton, was also killed with expats Jack Slater, 76, who lived in Toronto, and Ms Taylor, who lived in the ski resort of Whistler. A 27-year-old man from Sydney remains missing.
Neighbours of Mr Hooker spoke of their shock at his death and described him as a "nice guy" who enjoyed working on his motorbike.
Martin Wire said: "It's a tragedy. He lived on his own but had visits from his family - three daughters, I believe. He was a very nice guy.
"I saw him last week going off on holiday, he certainly seemed to be an adventurous person. It's a very sad situation, quite unbelievable."
A spokesman for Airbus Defence and Space confirmed that Mr Hooker worked at its Portsmouth base for its telecommunications satellite business as a product programme assurance manager.
A statement released by the company said: "It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the tragic death of Nigel Hooker who worked at Airbus Defence and Space in Portsmouth.
"Nigel was a well respected and popular colleague, and will be greatly missed by everyone he worked with. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
