Mum's anger at Thai plane crash deal
A MOURNING mother has hit out at compensation paid to the North Lincolnshire families of victims of a Thai plane crash.
Karen Howell, 48, of Scunthorpe, whose daughter Susan was one of four Scunthorpe holidaymakers to die in the 2007 tragedy, said the out of court settlement was made in the US without fully consulting families in the UK.
-
ANGUISH: Karen Howells with a photograph of daughter Susan Saunby, with daughter Rosie Howells and Susan's daughter Courtney McGowan.
The $400-million lawsuit was launched against the Thai-owned One Two Go Airlines and other plaintiffs before judges in New York and Florida.
Details of the payouts are confidential, but Mrs Howell said: "We are not happy with the way the confidential settlements were made without our full agreement."
Mrs Howell confirmed compensation had been paid to three members of her family but declined to discuss the scale of the payments.
She added: "We have been told not to discuss the payments with the families of the other victims especially in the USA in case we start to draw comparisons.
"But what is really hurting us is not knowing what caused the death of Susan, her husband and their friends.
"We have not yet received the report of the official investigation into the causes of the crash and there is no sign yet of the inquest being held in the UK.
"We feel the facts about the crash have been swept under the carpet by the authorities in Thailand."
The settlement effectively ended the pending court case in the US.
The courts would have been told newlyweds Steve, 40, and Susan Saunby, 26, and their best friends, Harry, 43, and Helen Slater, 31, all from Scunthorpe, were among 90 people killed when their plane crashed on September 16, 2007.
Inquests into the deaths of the eight British victims of the crash, which claimed 89 lives, are scheduled to be held in Lincoln.
But they cannot go ahead until full official reports into the crash have been filed with the coroner's office.
For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.
4 Comments
by BriggMum, Brigg
Thursday, January 14 2010, 1:06PM
“I agree with "Me", here!
We have to think of the children, and the families that are left to raise these children unexpectedly. I know they wouldn't expect anyone else to take on the "parental roles" but there is a massive financial burden too... I hope they got far more than I can think of, but the truth is there is no price you can put on a person life!
I hope all issues surrounding this can resolved as quickly as possible so these people left to pick up the pieces and attempt to live as normal a life as possible can do so peacefully!”
by me, here
Thursday, January 14 2010, 10:45AM
“the money will make a differance to some although it wont bring people back. Harry for instance has a teenage child struggling to cope financially among other issues. Compensation will go along in giving them the kind of financial support a parent would at that age”
by sister of victim, scunthorpe
Thursday, January 14 2010, 10:42AM
“once again you print the pictures of the victims. my parents still havent got over hid death and are reminded every time you print the story and pictures. my mum sobs her heart out every time she sees the picture in the paper isnt it time you thought of the victims parents for once i think they have had enough dont you.”
by Bluebell, portugal
Thursday, January 14 2010, 9:24AM
“What differance will loads of money make - it won't bring them back, what is needed is some assurance that ant errors will not be repeated, not throwing money around.”