As the world has been left shocked and stunned by one of the worst-ever natural disasters, a number of poeple from Pembrokeshire have been caught up in the devastating Christmas tragedy in Asia. Tens of thousands of people were killed and millions left homeless as towns and villages were wiped out after a series of tsunamis created by huge undersea eathquakes in the Indian Ocean crashed onto beaches in nine countries leaving a mammoth trail of destruction. Registering 8.9 on the Richter scale, the quakes powered a wall of water across the region, including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Thailand. Among those to have experienced first-hand the enormity of the tragedy is well-known local solicitor, Paul Cowper and his wife Jane from Manorbier. They were on holiday in Sri Lanka with Jane's daughter Joanne, a 23-year-old university student, and her boyfriend Will Hammond, of Narberth. Back in Tenby, Joanne's father, Alan Brindley, has been anxiously waiting for news. He told us: "I first heard about the disaster when I had a 'phone call from Paul's brother, Nick, early on Boxing Day morning, telling me that thankfully they were safe. "Jo and Will were staying in a room on the ground floor. They heard a noise and the next thing a wall of water came raging at them. "Jo and Will managed to get upstairs to where Paul and Jane were staying, but the tidal wave ripped right through their room, taking with it all their personal belongings. The family managed to seek safety inland and were expected to fly home from Colombo Airport today (Friday). "Although I have spoken to Jo, all the details are still sketchy," said Alan. "They are naturally shaken and it has knocked Jo about mentally, but at the end of the day they are safe." Will's father, Andrew, meanwhile had also managed to speak to his son. "They were staying in a villa on the beach and have lost everything," he said. "They were completely washed out. The house was a right off. They have been unable to go back to it as there was a swamp behind it and two rivers formed either side of it. "They managed to get to the next village and have been staying in a hotel there." Meanwhile, counting their blessings after only returning from Thailand days before Christmas are local business couple, Ann and Tony Jones, of Summer Inns. Ann and Tony own a house at a little bay called Nai Harn on the coast of Phuket which was swallowed by the savage sea. "Fortunately, our house is on the hillside, and although very near to the beach, it has not been affected," said Ann, who is in daily contact with friends living there. "I know a French lady who is lost after her bungalow was completely washed away," she continued. "Nai Harn Bay Beach, where I go regularly, has completely gone; there is nothing left of the roads or the shops and restaurants in the little coves where we used to go. "It is an absolute nightmare. People have lost everything, their loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods. I feel so helpless here, I want to go back and help." Tony has already flown back to Thailand, while Ann will follow next week. "I will do anything I can. It is our second home. We spend all our winters there and this is the first time in eight years that we have not spent Christmas there. It is ironic that fate seems to have been on our side." At Tenby Travel, Debbie Foley confirmed that all their clients currently on holiday in Thailand and the Maldives had not been affected by the horrific events. At home, thoughts have also been turning to sending aid to the disaster-struck areas. Clothing company, Stewarts Seconds, which has factories in Sri Lanka, will be collecting, sending and distributing aid handed into their stores to the Sri Lankan Disaster Fund. Urgent items required are clothing, blankets, toiletries and light cotton and cotton underwear, which can be left locally at stores in Tenby and Saundersfoot. "Our factories and warehouse have been unaffected and we want to help those who have," said the company's Des Thomas. The young people at Carew Wesley Methodist Chapel have also been so saddened by the tragedy that they have decided to give a special presentation of their Christmas musical 'The Peace Child' at Sageston CP School next Friday, January 7, at 7.30 pm, to raise funds for Christian Aid which is helping the disaster victims. In addition, the retiring love offering at Sunday's service at the chapel will also be donated to the aid appeal.
