This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germanwings-plane-crash-pastor-of-andreas-lubitzs-hometown-says-montabaur-community-stands-by-copilot-and-his-family-10142699.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Germanwings crash: Pastor of Andreas Lubitz's hometown says Montabaur community 'stands by co-pilot and his family' Germanwings crash: Pastor of Andreas Lubitz's hometown says Montabaur community 'stands by co-pilot and his family'
(35 minutes later)
The pastor of a Lutheran church in Andreas Lubitz’s hometown has vowed to stand by the Germanwings co-pilot suspected of crashing a passenger plane into the French Alps. The pastor of a Lutheran church in Andreas Lubitz’s hometown has vowed to stand by the Germanwings co-pilot, who is suspected of crashing a passenger plane into the French Alps.
Pastor Michael Dietrich claims he has knew the 27-year-old since he was a teenager, when he attended religious education.Pastor Michael Dietrich claims he has knew the 27-year-old since he was a teenager, when he attended religious education.
Prosecutors believe Lubitz locked the captain out of the cockpit and intentionally descended the Airbus A320, killing himself and 149 passengers and crew on board.Prosecutors believe Lubitz locked the captain out of the cockpit and intentionally descended the Airbus A320, killing himself and 149 passengers and crew on board.
Pastor Dietrich said he also knew his mother, who worked as an organist in their community of Montabaur, a town in Germany.Pastor Dietrich said he also knew his mother, who worked as an organist in their community of Montabaur, a town in Germany.
"I know her and her family,” he told the Associated Press. “This does not make sense. It is incomprehensible for me, for us, for everyone who knew her and the family."I know her and her family,” he told the Associated Press. “This does not make sense. It is incomprehensible for me, for us, for everyone who knew her and the family.
“For us, it makes it particularly difficult that the only victim from Montabaur is suspected to have caused this tragedy, this crash - although this has not been finally confirmed, but a lot is indicating that - and we have to face this.”“For us, it makes it particularly difficult that the only victim from Montabaur is suspected to have caused this tragedy, this crash - although this has not been finally confirmed, but a lot is indicating that - and we have to face this.”
He said there has been no direct contact with the Lubitz’s family up until now, but he believes they are being supported.He said there has been no direct contact with the Lubitz’s family up until now, but he believes they are being supported.
"The co-pilot, the family belong to our community, and we stand by this, and we embrace them and will not hide this, and want to support the family in particular," he said."The co-pilot, the family belong to our community, and we stand by this, and we embrace them and will not hide this, and want to support the family in particular," he said.
"From what I've heard, there were no obvious signs that there is anything in the background that could lead to this," he added."From what I've heard, there were no obvious signs that there is anything in the background that could lead to this," he added.
Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said Lubitz’s family has not yet been questioned by investigators "out of decency and respect for their pain”.Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said Lubitz’s family has not yet been questioned by investigators "out of decency and respect for their pain”.