AN EAST Lancashire man today told how he cared for the crew of the Tricolor vessel which sank with a cargo of £30 million worth of luxury cars.

Christopher Holden, 24, of Ribblesdale Road, Ribchester, was called to give aid because he is a chaplain's assistant for The Mission to Seafarers based in Dunkirk, France.

The Tricolor, a Norwegian-registered car carrier, had 2,862 BMWs, Volvos and Saabs on board, bound for British and US showrooms, when it collided with a container ship.

More than 20 crew members scrambled into lifeboats as the 50,000-ton, 200-metre ship sank into the English Channel within 90 minutes on Saturday.

Christopher, who went to Salesbury Primary School and Blackburn' St. Wilfrid's High School, spent an exhausting week-end, helping to care for the crew after emergency services asked for the mission's assistance.

They provided transport for the crew from hospital to the seafarers' centre and arranged hotel accommodation and meals.

Christopher said the crew had lost "everything" -- clothes, passports and personal items -- in the scramble to get off the stricken vessel.

He added: "They were shocked, cold, tired and bewildered when they arrived at the seafarers' centres.

"It was quite an emotional time, talking and listening to mens who had survived a sinking.

"We were making them hot coffee and finding clothing and helping them make phone calls to their wives and families.

"It was wonderful to see the mission in operation in an emergency. And it was great to see the smiles on the faces of the crew as we put them in taxis to begin their journey home."

Christopher's mum Lynn said her son was hoping to study theology to become a vicar next year and added: "We are so proud of him."

The Mission to Seafarers cares for the practical and spiritual needs of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths in 300 ports worldwide.