Sint Maarten jet engine blast kills New Zealand woman

BBC ^ | July 13, 2017 | Staff

[Enchante]

A New Zealand woman has died on the Caribbean territory of Sint Maarten after the blast from a powerful jet engine knocked her to the ground. The incident happened at the famous Princess Juliana International Airport, which is just metres from the beach. Beachgoers can walk up to the airport fence as planes take off. Police said the 57-year-old woman had been holding on to the fence before the force of the jet engines threw her backwards, causing serious injury.

[Enchante]

I've seen the photos of jet airliners low over this beach but I didn't realize quite how close the people can get (though there are big warning signs telling people to stay back).

Apparently "fence surfing" is a thrill seeking activity there, people holding onto the fence directly under the flight path in order to feel a thrill.

In this unfortunate woman's case it became a "Darwin Award" matter.

[CGASMIA68]

Been beaten to death earlier today

[Enchante]

[Enchante]

nothing came up in search

[Enchante]

ofc it’s not the “engine blast” that killed her, it was hitting her head on a hard surface.....

[dynoman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV21f1MZ5iU

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Who hoo
I got my head shaved
By a jumbo jet
It wasn`t easy
But nothing is...no.

- - Blur - Song #2

[BradyLS]

Yeah, now that they have a fatality on their hands, I’m guessing they’re gonna put an end this kinda fun.

[Enchante]

WOW, those people really are crazy.....

[DesertRhino]

Darwin? How many more babies did you think a 57 year old woman might have?

[Enchante]

ha ha good point..... well it’s the spirit of the thing, Honorable Mention anyway....

[CGASMIA68]

not ragging on ya

[pangaea6]

Why on earth would someone from beautiful New Zealand and so close to south Pacific Islands and Hawaii go to freaking St Martin anyway?

[MGG]

Was alcohol involved?

[MGG]

Because it’s winter in new Zealand. Saint marten is cheap this time of year. But many restaurants are closed my brother in law has a sign business in philipsburg.

[Yo-Yo]

Not your fault. The previous post didn't have "St. Maarten" in the title.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3568902/posts

[Enchante]

thanks!

[Enchante]

welllllll...... they sure were warned! In the US legal system this might not be enough liability protection, though.

Sint Maarten is governed by the Dutch.... anyone know what their legal system is like for tort claims?

[Bigg Red]

Can’t get much clearer than that. One would think that by 57 a person would have more sense.

Prayers up for her and her loved ones.

[Truth29]

"Yeah, now that they have a fatality on their hands, I’m guessing they’re gonna put an end this kinda fun."

You would think, but there have been serious incidents before and the narrow road that runs between the beach and the end of the runway almost seems to be designed to maximize risk and injuries. Adrenalin junkies come from all over the world to do this.