KOTA KINABALU: Scores of people packed the Stella Maris Church here to pay their last respects to Marc Joel Bansh, the MASWings co-pilot, who was killed in the Twin Otter crash in Kudat on Thursday.

It was a sombre atmosphere at the church at Tanjung Aru where the family has been going for Sunday services for decades.

Many people wiped their tears before the funeral mass began at 9am yesterday.

Marc’s parents, Heral and Eva Eleanor Ooi, and their three sons – Joshua, Seth and Keith – sat quietly throughout the hour-long mass, said Father Francis Tsen.

Tsen comforted Heral and his family in his homily. He urged them to put their hopes and faith in God in this difficult time for them.

Marc’s body was later buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Penampang.

Among those who came to the church service were dozens of Marc’s friends, some of whom were pilots, apart from his colleagues at MASWings.

Also present was MASWings managing director Datuk Mohd Nawawi Awang.

Mohd Nawawi said he felt very sad to lose such a young pilot.

“We have lost a team member while the family has lost a son, brother and friend, and we will never forget this day,” he said.

Marc and a passenger died and five others were injured when the aircraft with 16 people onboard went off course as it approached the runway and crashed into a house in Kudat.

– THE STAR