QLD: Grief stricken mother pleased about new UK inquiry

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2000
QLD: Grief stricken mother pleased about new UK inquiry

The mother of an Australian model killed when a British riverboat sank more than 10
years ago has applauded the UK government's decision to reopen investigations into the
accident.

The British Government says a judicial inquiry will be held into the Marchioness disaster
that killed 51 people, including five Australians.

The Marchioness was crammed with 131 partygoers, including 28-year-old SHIRLEEN MANNING
of Brisbane, when it sank in the Thames River after a collision with a sand dredger on
August 20, 1989.

Ms MANNING's mother, MAVIS, says the inquiry may end some unanswered questions.

One aspect of the investigation will be why police removed the hands of 27 victims
to take identifying fingerprints, which distressed the families involved.

AAP RTV geb/sc/rp

KEYWORD: MARCHIONESS MOTHER (BRISBANE)

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