Tragedy highlights links with Poland

Tynwald president Noel Cringle has sent a letter of condolence to the Polish government, expressing the Island's sadness over Saturday's calamitous plane crash.

Presdient Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria and scores of senior Polish officials died when their plane came down in Russia, in bad weather.

The Island's Polish community has been drawn together by the tragedy, with expats here, as around the world, in mourning for the loss of life.

Kuba Szymanski is secretary general of a shipping association in the Isle of Man, and has lived here for ten years.

A former ship's master, he was at sea when he heard the news: