Parents of arson victim to retrace steps

The father of a young woman traveller who died in an arson attack with 14 others at a backpackers’ hostel in Australia said he and his wife will be on a “memory trail” when they fly out today to take part in a special ceremony.

Ken and Yvonne Morris’s daughter Natalie, 28, died in the blaze at the Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers, Queensland, in June 2000.

Natalie’s friend Sarah Williams, 23, also perished in the fire – but their travelling companion Kelly Symonds survived.

Fruit picker Robert Long was convicted of starting the fire in March this year.

Sarah and Natalie’s parents will take part in a memorial service for the victims of the tragedy on October 26.

Mr Morris, of Cefn Coed, south Wales, is also planning to retrace Natalie’s steps to her favourite places – and told how “happy memories will cover the sadness“.

Mr Morris, 65, told how he and his wife Yvonne, 55, are setting off on their journey today with “a lot of anticipation and mixed emotions“.

He said: “My wife and I are going on a memory trail and getting rid as much as we can of the sadness in going to places where we know Natalie enjoyed herself so much.

“Happy memories will cover the sadness.

“We will be down in Sydney where Natalie, Sarah and Kelly spent so much time. Everywhere they worked everyone loved them.”

Mr Morris said he finds it comforting to meet relatives of the other victims of the blaze and added: “They know how we feel“.

Mr Morris told how an undeveloped holiday film belonging to his daughter survived the fire.

He said the film showed pictures of Natalie and her friends and also climbing Ayers Rock.