SAVED KIDS: WE TALK TO MUMMY IN HEAVEN

THE heartbroken children of a Scotswoman who drowned during a canoeing expedition in Peru have been "talking to their mummy in heaven", her distraught husband said last night.

Rupert Riedl-Laing, 32, told how the couple's three children Yannik, five, Fabio, two, and 10-month-old Olivia, had also drawn pictures for their 26-year-old mother Bridget.

Fighting back tears the ski instructor told the Sunday Mirror: "We talk to her now, even though she's gone. We sat down today and told her about our day. Fabio and Yannik know she's gone and said they're talking to mummy in heaven. Olivia is too small."

Rupert told how the children had been coping with their grief by drawing pictures for their mother. He said: "The kids drew her pictures of what she would like - a Christmas tree and an orchid. We told her that we missed her and we hoped she was at peace."

The young mother, who was originally from Cupar, Fife, drowned last week when the inflatable canoe the family were in capsized.

Artist Bridget swam to a nearby rock but the current was too strong and pulled her under.

Rupert, who had dragged his three children out of the river, then started searching for his wife but to no avail.

The family had neared the end of an eight-month adventure the length of the Americas in a Campervan.

Rescuers in Peru are still searching for Bridget's body.

Last night Bridget's mother, Sandra Laing, spoke of her devastation over the disappearance of her "ecstatic, bubbly, delightful, lovely" daughter. Just hours before flying out from Portugal to Peru, Mrs Laing, 54, said the whole family was in shock.

"We are devastated. I am flying out to help Rupert to look after the children. Yannick is the oldest and he is looking forward to having something else to think about when we arrive. He is a very grown up, mature little child and he's handling it best he can."

Mrs Laing said she refused to believe her daughter was dead. "Until we have news, she's still alive as far as I am concerned. I have to believe that."

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