Former head pays tribute to man killed in Venezuela

Max Hill, who was headteacher at Sandy Upper School while Thomas Ossel was a pupil there, described him as ‘a likeable chap.’

Mr Hill said: “He was the sort of person you do remember because he was a very likeable lad. He was also in my daughter’s class.

“I heard it on the national news and it was a real shock. One doesn’t want that kind of situation at all.”

Firefighter Thomas, 28, who grew up in Cople was killed after being shot in the jaw at a guest house on Margarita Island on Monday last week (July 18).

Mr Hill added: “This highlights the risks that young people take in going to places like that where law and order is not very good.

“He was very pleasant and had been successful at school, and as far as I know he had done well as a firefighter too.”