A New Zealand woman has died in the Caribbean island country of St Maarten, after taking part in a popular yet highly dangerous activity where tourists stand in the blast zone of airplanes about to take off.
“I met with the family of the deceased this evening and while they recognised that what they did was wrong, through the clearly visible danger signs, they regret that risk they took turned out in the worst possible way,” St Maarten tourist director Rolando Brison told the New Zealand Herald.
“At this time I only wish to express my deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones while we continue to investigate what transpired just hours ago.”
He declined to comment on who the woman had been travelling with, but said there were “three grieving at the hospital.”
Signs are placed at the site warning tourists of the dangers of the jet blast, but in this case were unfortunately ignored.
Danger sign located across from Maho Beach near Princess Juliana airport #travel #travelblogger #wanderlust #beach #Caribbean #cruise pic.twitter.com/RBRYe5IDiv
— InRandomOrder (@inrandomorder) January 24, 2017
In 2012, a young woman was seriously injured after being thrown against the concrete barrier, with footage of the incident going viral. However, police do not have official numbers of how many injuries have occurred at the site.
Photo: Eric Dunetz / Getty.
