Three die in Zambia crash
KIM MACDONALD
A Perth family were grieving yesterday after the death of three relatives in a light aircraft crash in Zambia, Africa, during the safari trip of a lifetime.
Matthew and Justine Watters, both 26, and Matthew's mother Shirley, 58, all from Darlington, were killed in the crash near Victoria Falls on Thursday afternoon, together with an English couple, also in their 20s, and the Canadian pilot.
It came only a day after they experienced the ironically named Flight of Angels, which is a scenic aerial view of the picturesque Victoria Falls on the Zambian and Zimbabwean border.
A family friend, who did not want to be named, said the victims had been travelling in a group of eight for three weeks and were due to return home next week.
The friend said the two couples and Mrs Watters had chartered the plane to fly 700km from South Luangwa National Park to the world-famous falls, where they stayed overnight.
The accident happened soon into the return trip on Thursday afternoon about 48km from Livingstone airport.
''Some 20 minutes into the flight the aircraft transmitted a mayday advising that the engine was losing oil,'' said a statement released by the family.
''That was the last that was heard of the plane and a search and rescue helicopter discovered the wreckage shortly thereafter.''
Zambia's civil aviation director, Chitalu Kabalika, confirmed that shortly after take-off the pilot relayed he had an engine problem.
Less than 50 minutes later, the wreckage of the light aircraft, a Cessna 210, was found in the Zimba region of Zambia, between Livingstone and Kalomo.
The family friend said Shirley's husband Kim, his cousin Shannon Farmer and Mr Farmer's wife, Kristin, from Glen Forrest, had stayed behind at the national park and were advised of the tragedy at 5.30pm on Thursday.
It is understood that Mr Watters is receiving counselling at the Australian Embassy in Harare. A relative of Justine Watters, nee Morton, has also flown from Perth to Zimbabwe.
The Times in Harare reported Theo Goveia, the managing director of local air charter company Airwaves Airlink, as saying the plane which crashed was on lease to his company from Travel Africa, a South African company. He said mechanical failure was suspected.
He told the newspaper that under aviation rules and regulations, maintenance works on foreign aircraft were not permitted to be carried out locally.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said consular assistance from the Australian High Commission in Harare was being provided to the remaining members of the party, who are due to return to Perth within days.
"We're saddened to learn of the death of three West Australians from the same family," she said.
Victoria Falls is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. The falls are 1708m wide and drop between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge.
The West Australian
I don't know if you still needed info, but I came across the above. Very sorry to hear about what happened to your friends, Sky.