Australian seaplane crash pilot was devout Christian who 'committed every flight' to Jesus

The experienced Canadian pilot in the Australian sea-plane crash on New Year's Eve in which five Britons were also killed was a devout Christian who read the Bible daily and 'committed every flight to the Lord' in prayer.

Gareth Morgan, who was 44, 'was a warrior for Christ and committed every flight to the Lord,' his flatmate Luke Thornley, from Enfield in Sydney, told the Australian Daily Telegraph.

'He read the Bible every day and would always say a prayer to bless every plane he flew and keep him and his passengers safe before flying.

'When I'd come home at night he would have praise and worship songs playing on his 60-inch TV on YouTube.

'He only moved into the house two weeks ago and had time for everyone.

'He loved having things neat and tidy, the house is horribly quiet without him.'

The Vancouver-born pilot first arrived in Sydney eight years ago to live in the beachside suburb of Cronulla, the Telegraph reported.

Two years ago, he headed to the Maldives after being offered a job as co-pilot for Maldivian Seaplanes, before returning to Australia in May, 2017, after accepting a job as pilot with Sydney Seaplanes.

At the Pentecostal Jubilee Church he attended in Waverley, eastern Sydney, he was known as the quiet, humble man at the back of the church, the Telegraph said.

'He was a gentle, quiet and incredibly kind,' Pastor Fini de Gersigny said.

'He lived for God and would stand at the back of the church every Sunday, dressed immaculately.

'He was super sober and clean-living, a true gentleman with a big heart.'

Richard Cousins, the head of the catering giant Compass, was among five British passengers killed in the crash north of Sydney, along with his two sons, aged 23 and 25, his 48-year-old fiancée and her 11-year-old daughter.

News
Scotland’s assisted suicide vote: a temporary victory?
Scotland’s assisted suicide vote: a temporary victory?

It will be interesting to see if the Scottish government goes down the route of investing in quality palliative care, or whether Liam McArthur's defeated assisted suicide bill is simply resurrected in another form.

Nick Timothy stands by criticism of Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square
Nick Timothy stands by criticism of Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square

Shadow justice minister Nick Timothy is standing by claims that a mass Islamic prayer in Trafalgar Square was “a declaration of domination” that should never be repeated.

Britain’s culture of giving is becoming more 'fragile' as donations fall
Britain’s culture of giving is becoming more 'fragile' as donations fall

A major new report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has raised fresh concerns about the state of charitable giving in the UK, showing that total public donations fell sharply in 2025 as fewer people gave and average gifts became smaller.

UK urged to press Nigeria on violence against Christians during historic Tinubu visit
UK urged to press Nigeria on violence against Christians during historic Tinubu visit

A coalition of Christian and human rights organisations has called on the UK government to use President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Britain to press for stronger protections for Christians and other vulnerable communities in Nigeria, amid continuing concern over deadly attacks and weak accountability.