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Boy's holiday death 'accidental' Boy's holiday death 'accidental'
(9 minutes later)
A mother has told how she survived a plane crash on holiday in Venezuela only to turn to see her six-year-old child "grey, lifeless and bleeding".A mother has told how she survived a plane crash on holiday in Venezuela only to turn to see her six-year-old child "grey, lifeless and bleeding".
Jane Horne, of Camberley in Surrey, spoke at the inquest into the death in April of her son, Thomas. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.Jane Horne, of Camberley in Surrey, spoke at the inquest into the death in April of her son, Thomas. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.
The family had boarded a Cessna 208 in heavy rain, but it crashed at take-off.The family had boarded a Cessna 208 in heavy rain, but it crashed at take-off.
They are suing tour operator First Choice, which defended its safety policy but did not comment further.They are suing tour operator First Choice, which defended its safety policy but did not comment further.
North East Hampshire Coroner Andrew Bradley was told the family - Mrs Horne, her husband David and Thomas - had travelled on the single-engine plane three times before during the trip.North East Hampshire Coroner Andrew Bradley was told the family - Mrs Horne, her husband David and Thomas - had travelled on the single-engine plane three times before during the trip.
'Flooded runway''Flooded runway'
Mrs Horne told the inquest Thomas, who had been flying since he was eight weeks old, had mentioned to her the lack of a safety instruction card, having been told to always look for it.Mrs Horne told the inquest Thomas, who had been flying since he was eight weeks old, had mentioned to her the lack of a safety instruction card, having been told to always look for it.
The plane swerved during take-off, the power dropped and surged, the steep take-off was like a white-knuckle ride, and the aircraft dived into the ground, Mrs Horne said.The plane swerved during take-off, the power dropped and surged, the steep take-off was like a white-knuckle ride, and the aircraft dived into the ground, Mrs Horne said.
She said: "I can clearly recollect that day - the sound of crashing metal and trees as we hit the ground and then that complete silence.She said: "I can clearly recollect that day - the sound of crashing metal and trees as we hit the ground and then that complete silence.
"I could smell aviation fuel and there was our child - grey, lifeless and bleeding.""I could smell aviation fuel and there was our child - grey, lifeless and bleeding."
The inquest heard her son was taken out of the wreckage, but had suffered a fractured skull and died at a medical centre.The inquest heard her son was taken out of the wreckage, but had suffered a fractured skull and died at a medical centre.
Jane Horne speaks about the family's ordealJane Horne speaks about the family's ordeal
Tim Atkinson, from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, said the pilot first decided to abort the take-off but then changed his mind and there was not enough room on the flooded runway to get into the air.Tim Atkinson, from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, said the pilot first decided to abort the take-off but then changed his mind and there was not enough room on the flooded runway to get into the air.
The plane was not allowed to fly at night and the take-off was its last chance to fly without substantial delay, he added.The plane was not allowed to fly at night and the take-off was its last chance to fly without substantial delay, he added.
The passengers were not correctly strapped in because they were only using lap belts and not the shoulder restraints, which were difficult to use without a safety briefing, he said.The passengers were not correctly strapped in because they were only using lap belts and not the shoulder restraints, which were difficult to use without a safety briefing, he said.
The coroner said a lack of proper restraint was a significant factor in the child's death, and the pilot was under pressure to fly in daylight.The coroner said a lack of proper restraint was a significant factor in the child's death, and the pilot was under pressure to fly in daylight.
Giving his sympathy to Mr and Mrs Horne, Mr Bradley said: "He [Thomas] would not have known anything, but that's the only comfort."Giving his sympathy to Mr and Mrs Horne, Mr Bradley said: "He [Thomas] would not have known anything, but that's the only comfort."
The plane was carrying 10 other passengers, eight of them Britons, who all survived with cuts and broken bones.The plane was carrying 10 other passengers, eight of them Britons, who all survived with cuts and broken bones.
'Catastrophic injuries''Catastrophic injuries'
The family were on a two-week, all-inclusive holiday operated by First Choice, and the aircraft being used on a two-day trip to Angel Falls was operated by Linea Turistica Aerotuy (LTA).The family were on a two-week, all-inclusive holiday operated by First Choice, and the aircraft being used on a two-day trip to Angel Falls was operated by Linea Turistica Aerotuy (LTA).
After the inquest, Mrs Horne said the family were taking legal action against First Choice.After the inquest, Mrs Horne said the family were taking legal action against First Choice.
She said: "Thomas was our wonderful, beautiful son and our only child, and this has been the most horrific experience of our lives.She said: "Thomas was our wonderful, beautiful son and our only child, and this has been the most horrific experience of our lives.
"We know Thomas died from catastrophic injuries but we strongly believe that his death was due to pilot error and to the fact that there were not sufficiently robust safety procedures in place on the flight.""We know Thomas died from catastrophic injuries but we strongly believe that his death was due to pilot error and to the fact that there were not sufficiently robust safety procedures in place on the flight."
Outside the hearing, a spokesman for First Choice said the company had stopped using LTA.Outside the hearing, a spokesman for First Choice said the company had stopped using LTA.
A statement from the tour operator said First Choice held the safety and wellbeing of its customers in the highest regard, but because of ongoing legal action, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage.A statement from the tour operator said First Choice held the safety and wellbeing of its customers in the highest regard, but because of ongoing legal action, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage.
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Thomas Horne died when the Cessna light aircraft crashed during take-offThomas Horne died when the Cessna light aircraft crashed during take-off