Lockerbie bombing: Raynet volunteers recall standby and rescue role

Ayrshire radio amateurs who were part of the Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network say they were on standby the night Pan Am Flight 103 crashed above Lockerbie in 1988, ready to provide critical communications for responders. The disaster killed 259 passengers and crew and 11 people on the ground, and remains the deadliest terror attack on British soil. Raynet, formed in the aftermath of the North Sea flood in 1953, is a volunteer service that supplies emergency radio links during major events and other crises.

According to accounts from Anne and Ross Campbell, along with Tom Stewart and William Jamieson, all members of Ayrshire Raynet, the group consisted of volunteers in their 20s and 30s who carried go-bags as part of the network. They were told by their local controller that they were to report to the scene the following morning, and Raynet operators would be paired with search parties to relay messages back to the disaster control room at Lockerbie Academy. The system enabled communication between agencies that used different frequencies, including police, ambulance and other services, which could otherwise operate in silos when time and coordination were critical.

Anne and Ross were posted at Tundergarth, in the field where the plane's nose cone lay. Anne recalled the moment the world’s attention turned toward Lockerbie as photographers and television crews arrived with large lenses, and she described the enduring need to treat those affected with respect despite the intense media coverage. Tom Stewart, who had spent a decade in the fire service, said the scene was devastating and noted that the emotional impact could be harder for volunteers without emergency backgrounds. His role centered on supporting search and rescue dog teams and assisting with the collection of debris and other evidence, including the helicopters that ferried body bags and equipment to and from the site.

The Lockerbie operation required precise, real-time messages back to control rooms. William Jamieson said his team discovered a baggage container whose damage suggested an explosion, and he faced a dilemma: he could be tempted to relay the finding directly to the press, but he chose to alter the message to reflect the urgent recovery of the item rather than widely broadcasting a sensational detail. The incident underscored the delicate balance between immediate information and the risk of sensational coverage when journalists were on site.

Earlier this year, William returned to Lockerbie for the first time in nearly 38 years to pay his respects. He recalled being 22 at the time and confronting a memory that has stayed with him—finding a passenger still in their seat and knowing there was little he could do to help. Tom joined his three friends on the visit and spoke of how the scale of devastation stayed with him long after the event, especially when seeing letters and personal belongings left behind by victims.

Anne said she was proud to have contributed, though she noted that many others did far more. Ross stressed that Raynet and other volunteer groups played a crucial role and that their work often goes unrecognized. Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston, whose unit handles organized crime, counterterrorism and intelligence, publicly thanked Raynet for their support, detailing how their communications helped coordinate between emergency services at a critical moment and offering sympathy to the families of those who died.

The Lockerbie recovery involved a broad coalition of volunteers, including search and rescue teams with their dogs, the Salvation Army, the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, and locals who donated time and effort. The Raynet account adds depth to the wider narrative of how the 1988 tragedy was managed and how volunteers laid groundwork for modern emergency communications. The coverage surrounding the incident underlines the importance of recognizing the contributions of individuals whose work may not always be publicly visible but proved essential to the response.

As the memory of Lockerbie endures, the people involved emphasize that the legacy of volunteers in emergencies should be acknowledged more broadly. The episode continues to be a reference point for how communities mobilize, the role of technology in crisis response, and the ongoing need to support those who step forward to serve in times of crisis.