John Travolta's heartbreaking farewell

Jan 7, 2009, 9:15 GMT

John Travolta cradled his dead son in his arms and said he was "sorry".

Paramedic Tarino Lightbourn - who rushed 16-year-old Jett to hospital after he was found collapsed at the family's Bahamas hotel following a seizure on Friday (02.01.09) - has revealed the actor broke down and clung to his son's body when he was told he had passed away.

Tarino said: "John went behind the hospital curtain, tears in his eyes. I could see the sorrow. I could see the love in his eyes for his son.

"When he was hugging his son he said, 'I'm sorry, Jett.' I think he meant, 'I'm sorry Jett, I did all I could do.' "

When Tarino arrived at the hotel, John was performing CPR on Jett - who suffered from rare Kawasaki disease, which the family say caused his fits - while his wife Kelly Preston looked on.

The medic has revealed the star was crying and praying as he battled to save his son's life.

Tarino explained: "He was crying, his eyes were red. I remember him looking up at the ceiling and saying, 'God, please help me.' "

Jett was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived at Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

An autopsy was carried out on Monday (05.01.09) and showed his death was caused by a seizure disorder. Jett was cremated this week and qualified pilot John flew his remains back to the family home in Florida yesterday (06.01.09).

The plane landed at Tampa, where a van marked with the logo of Church of Scientology - John and Kelly's religion - picked up the family.

A spokesman for the actor said a wake was taking place last night, with a funeral service planned for today (07.01.09).

John's biographer and friend Douglas Thompson has revealed the actor is planning to set up a charity in Jett's name, and will being campaigning against the use of domestic chemicals which he believes caused Jett's Kawasaki disease.

Douglas said: "I couldn't even begin to imagine the hurt and pain John must be feeling. The desire to protect Jett informed everything he did. The loss will be devastating."