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British family's grief for boy, 6, killed in holiday plane crash
Peter Dominiczak and Neil Millard20 Apr 2009
THE family and friends of a six-year-old British boy killed when a light tourist aircraft crashed in Venezuela spoke today of their devastation.
Thomas Horne was travelling with his parents and other sightseers to the Angel Falls when the small Cessna 208 Caravan went down on Friday afternoon.
The plane suffered a suspected engine failure soon after take-off. A group of indigenous Pemon Indians were among those to help with the rescue after the aircraft crashed into trees in the Canaima National Park.
Thomas, from Camberley, Surrey, died from severe head injuries as rescue workers tried to fly him to hospital. Eight British adults on the plane, including his parents, were yesterday recovering in a private clinic.
The boy's aunt and uncle, June and Chris Holman, said Thomas's death had desolated his parents, 43-year-old IT manager David Horne and Jane Horne, 36, a nurse. Mrs Holman said: "Following the tragic death of Thomas, the thoughts of us all are with his parents Jane and Dave at this very sad time."
Thomas's grandmother Vera Horne said: "He was gorgeous, of course." She did not know how serious Mr and Mrs Horne's injuries were and could not say when they would return to Britain. "I don't know how injured they are yet. I know they are injured but I don't know how badly," she said.
A neighbour said Thomas, who often played with her two daughters, was a "joyful" boy. She could not bring herself to tell her children about his death.
"It's far too sad. He was such a lovely, vivid, joyful little boy. He had a very good character. He was very polite and very friendly. I'm still in shock," she said.
"It's so sad thinking he won't be coming round to play any more. We can see the trampoline and knowing Thomas is not there any more is such a pain in my heart."
The Horne family had lived in the area for 10 years and Thomas was a pupil at Prior Heath infant school.
Three other Britons were badly injured in the crash, including BT engineer Keith Grainger, 53, and his wife, Elizabeth, 51, from Finchley.
Mrs Grainger's son Kevin Down, 21, said: "We are all in complete shock. My mum is having an operation on her jaw tomorrow. Both of them have phoned us to let us know what is happening over there but neither of them have been able to say a lot about the crash."
Reader views (3)
My heartfelt thoughts go out to Jane, David and their families at this difficult time. The thoughts of all the staff at the Royal Surrey are with you. XXX
- Kate, Guildford, Surrey, 22/04/2009 21:17
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We would like to send our heartfelt sympathy to the parents and family of this little boy who we are sure we spent a day with on another First Choice tour during our stay in Margarita. We were on the Angel Falls tour the previous weekend and told them what a fantastic time they would have as they anticipated the tour. If this was the same young Thomas and mother Jane, we can't begin to imagine the nightmare.
- Mr And Mrs White, Cornwall, 21/04/2009 16:58
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How truly awful: my heart goes out to them.
Having flown a great deal with children, I have to say that they are pretty much left COMPLETELY unprotected in an aeroplane and it is an international cause of disgrace. The restraint in any aircraft is just an ordinary lap-belt designed for the body-proportions of an adult positioned over the lap causing damage to a child's vital organs, and the heavier proportion of body-weight in their head lifts them up and out of it to be thrown around at the whim of the plane. Babies who would be legally obliged to have a 3-point harness in a car are given a near-pointless belt-extension which leaves their protection pretty much to the strength of their parent in holding on to them. I know this happened in Venezuala, but it would happen to any child travelling on a commercial flight in Europe, too.
I cannot imagine thus family's loss, it is too, too tragic and senseless.
- Roz, France, 20/04/2009 14:21
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