More regional newspaper staff have become caught up in the events surrounding the Asian tsunami disaster on Boxing Day.

Yesterday we told how Victoria Temple, a journalist at The Citizen in Gloucester, survived the horror.

A former managing director of The News, Portsmouth, was also on a beach – in Sri Lanka, with his family – when 30ft waves crashed to the shore.

His family of five was swept away as disaster struck the south-west tip of Hikkaduwa island as they enjoyed a surfing holiday.

Murray Johnstone told the paper: “We were all split up, which was terrifying. It was some time before we met up again.”

Several regional newspaper websites – including the Portsmouth News – have set up web pages encouraging travelling survivors to e-mail and let people back home know they are safe.

Evening Gazette picture editor David Jamieson was caught up in the drama following the big wave, as he awaited news of his son Sean, who was staying in Phuket. He finally called his dad who was at home in the UK at 6.30am the day after the tsunami struck.

The daughter of the North-West Evening Mail’s deputy features editor Helen Wall, was on holiday in Sri Lanka.

Thirty-one-year-old Pam also managed to call her mum to let her know she was safe.

The Sunderland Echo was kept informed of the latest news in a series of text messages from a reader.

The Echo reported on Monday how solicitor Willie Johnstone described the moments he stared death in the face.

Now he is contacting Wearside to get news of what is being done to help victims of the disaster.

One message read: “The island seems to be emptying of tourists but they tell us nothing here. What’s happening? Are we sending aid?”

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