Family mourns Kiwi killed in jet blast
The New Zealand victim of a jet blast in the Caribbean has been named.
Gayleen McEwan, 57, of Blenheim, died after hitting her head when she was knocked over by the blast of a jetliner taking off at St Maarten while enjoying a holiday with her husband and two Kiwi friends.
Sister- in- law Janice McEwan said the family in Marlborough were still in shock.
“We’re just trying to take it in and gathering from different places. That’s all we can do. “It’s a difficult time.” McEwan reportedly owned Blenheim Palms Motel and was a motherof- three. She was with husband Phill and t wo Kiwi friends on the Caribbean island.
Police issued a warning after the death near Princess Juliana International Airport, which is close to the beach and where the planes taking off and landing is a tourist attraction.
“Many tourists come to the island to experience the thrills of the landing of approaching aircraft flying low above their heads,” police said.
The tourists hold on to the airport fence and stand in the jet blast of large aircraft, but it was “extremely dangerous”.
Police said emergency services were called to Beacon Hill Rd near the airport runway of the Princess Juliana International Airport on Wednesday about 6pm.
“Several persons were holding on to the airport fence during the takeoff of a large jet aircraft,” they said.
“During the takeoff this aircraft a 57- year- old female tourist from New Zealand was blown away by the jet blast and was seriously injured.”
She died shortly after as a result of the injuries she sustained, police said.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the High Commission in Barbados was providing consular assistance to the family.