24 September 2009

First Choice faces legal action over boy's tragic death

First Choice faces legal action from the parents of a six-year-old boy who was killed in a plane crash in Venezuela earlier this year.

The family, from Camberley, had booked a scenic flight to the beauty spot of Angel Falls through a First Choice representative at a welcome meeting at their hotel.

On the return journey, the 14-seater Cessna 208 Caravan crashed into trees in the Canaima National Park during heavy storms.

The boy, Thomas Horne, suffered head injuries and died at a local medical centre. His mother and 10 other Brits were also injured.

An inquest this week concluded that passengers had not been properly instructed about how to fasten their seatbelts.

Jane Horne and her husband Dave are calling for greater controls on trips sold by tour operators in resort, and for better protection for children on all flights.

First Choice said it was no longer selling excursions for LTA, which had operated the scenic flights.

A statement said: "First Choice recognises that the last five months have been extremely distressing for Thomas Horne's family and friends, and the thoughts of everyone within the company remain with them at this difficult time.

"First Choice notes the outcome of today's inquest where the coroner concluded that Thomas died as a result of an accident.

"The Angel Falls excursion, which was sold to the Horne family, was run by a third party company, LTA, and First Choice acted as the agent.

"First Choice holds the safety and wellbeing of its customers in the highest regard and for third-party air carriers we conduct appropriate assessments to ensure these carriers fulfill our safety requirements.

"Due to ongoing legal action it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage."

By Bev Fearis