RELATIVES last night described how a Co Down couple who drowned while on their South African honeymoon were "destined to be together forever".
The family of John Rodgers last night described how he had met Lynette, "the love of his life - his future bride" six years ago.
They said they will "always be remembered as one couple" after their tragic deaths at Plettenberg Bay on Friday.
As their devastated families await the return of their bodies, John's family paid tribute to the newly-wed couple.
"Lynette has always been considered a member of the family, with John's sisters calling Lynette one of us," they said.
"They will always be remembered as one couple - destined to be together forever."
Post mortems on the remains of a couple are due to take place in the coming days. It remained unclear last night when their bodies will be returned home.
John (28), a University of Ulster engineering graduate from Ballygowan, worked for Calvert Office Equipment in Belfast, while Lynette (26) was a physiotherapist.
They had tied the knot in Lynette's hometown of Holywood just six days before the tragedy unfolded on their honeymoon.
The couple drowned hours after checking into their hotel in the idyllic Plettenberg Bay area, close to Cape Town on Friday.
It is understood the couple had went for a swim, but John's body was discovered in shallow surf on Robberg Beach by a local man at around 6pm.
His wife's body was found around 200 metres away along the same beach.
Doctors performed CPR on the couple but they were pronounced dead at the scene.
As family of friends of the young couple continue to take in the enormity of their loss, John's best man Rob McFarland has also described his heartache.
"I've spent the day absolutely stunned and completely devastated at losing my best friend and his beautiful wife last night whilst they were celebrating their honeymoon," he wrote on social media.
"I'm not usually one to put my emotions onto Facebook, but I can't help but read all the overwhelmingly kind words that everyone has to say about John Rodgers and Lynette Rodgers.
"I think this is just testament to what everyone thought of them and how much of an impact they had on all those who know them.
"It doesn't make it any easier but I seek comfort in the fact that they had just had one of the best weeks of their life and were together.
"Here's toasting one of the best couples I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, wherever you are, I love you both with all my heart."
