LEADING Bolton businessman Jonathan Warburton, above, has paid tribute to victims Matthew Harding and Mr Warburton's close friend Tony Burridge.
Mr Warburton, joint managing director of the Bolton bakery, was among the last people to see them alive as he waved their helicopter off from the firm's car park.
He said: "Tony was a very special person and it's a great tragedy. He was one of my oldest and dearest friends and did not have a bad bone in his body. It is incredibly sad to me and of course even more so for his family."
Mr Burridge, aged 39, leaves a wife and two children. Mr Warburton and Mr Burridge were pals at Millfield School in Somerset. He came as a personal guest of Mr Warburton to the Bolton v Chelsea cup game. Mr Warburton added: "They arrived in the helicopter. We all met up and a had a meal at Tiggis, then went on to the match. I'd only met Matthew Harding once before at the Italy against Germany Euro 96 game at Old Trafford. But he seemed to be a genuine football fanatic and very friendly."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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