This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/8080933.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jet crash wife's government anger Jet crash wife's government anger
(about 1 hour later)
A woman whose British husband was on board the Air France plane which was lost in the Atlantic has criticised the Foreign Office for not contacting her.A woman whose British husband was on board the Air France plane which was lost in the Atlantic has criticised the Foreign Office for not contacting her.
Arthur Coakley, 61, from Sandsend near Whitby in North Yorkshire, was on the flight from Brazil to France on Sunday. Arthur Coakley, 61, from Sandsend, near Whitby in North Yorkshire, was on the flight from Brazil to France on Sunday.
His wife Patricia said she had had no contact from government officials throughout her ordeal.His wife Patricia said she had had no contact from government officials throughout her ordeal.
The Foreign Office said its policy was to give families a short period of time before contacting them.
In situations such as this, it said families were given information about assistance available to them and if they did not contact the Foreign Office within "a couple of days" the Foreign Office would then contact them.
A spokesman said it had now "offered consular assistance to Patricia Coakley".
Mrs Coakley said: "They [the Foreign Office] are appalling. They are being very disrespectful."Mrs Coakley said: "They [the Foreign Office] are appalling. They are being very disrespectful."
"I know he's dead inside my heart but until someone actually tells me I'll live in hope Patricia Coakley
She added: "I'm just waiting. We have the television on all the time and the internet on permanently.She added: "I'm just waiting. We have the television on all the time and the internet on permanently.
"I'll get the news from the TV because the Foreign Office are absolutely rubbish.""I'll get the news from the TV because the Foreign Office are absolutely rubbish."
"I know he's dead inside my heart but until someone actually tells me I'll live in hope Patricia Coakley
Brazilian aircraft searching for the plane have spotted debris in the ocean.Brazilian aircraft searching for the plane have spotted debris in the ocean.
Plane seats and other items were sighted 650km (400 miles) north-east of Brazil's Fernando do Noronha island, the Brazilian air force said.Plane seats and other items were sighted 650km (400 miles) north-east of Brazil's Fernando do Noronha island, the Brazilian air force said.
It is believed that the plane, which left Rio de Janeiro on Sunday evening, may have flown into a storm.It is believed that the plane, which left Rio de Janeiro on Sunday evening, may have flown into a storm.
Mrs Coakley said the news had devastated their sons, Dominic, 31, and Patrick, 29, and daughter Mise, 25.Mrs Coakley said the news had devastated their sons, Dominic, 31, and Patrick, 29, and daughter Mise, 25.
She said that although she was clinging to hope her husband of 34 years may have survived she feared he was dead.
Mr Coakley was a director of an Aberdeen-based oil industry companyMr Coakley was a director of an Aberdeen-based oil industry company
She said that although she was clinging to hope her husband of 34 years may have survived, she feared he was dead.
"Of course I'm fighting it... but I've got to be strong for my children," she said."Of course I'm fighting it... but I've got to be strong for my children," she said.
"If I collapse what are they going to do and Arthur wouldn't want me to be collapsing.""If I collapse what are they going to do and Arthur wouldn't want me to be collapsing."
She added: "I know he's dead inside my heart but until someone actually tells me I'll live in hope."She added: "I know he's dead inside my heart but until someone actually tells me I'll live in hope."
Air France officials say the plane encountered turbulence about four hours into the flight. It then sent an automatic signal indicating an electrical fault.Air France officials say the plane encountered turbulence about four hours into the flight. It then sent an automatic signal indicating an electrical fault.
They suspect the Airbus suffered a short circuit caused by a lightning strike.They suspect the Airbus suffered a short circuit caused by a lightning strike.
Air France said five Britons and three Irish citizens were among the 228 passengers.Air France said five Britons and three Irish citizens were among the 228 passengers.