A tourist has been killed after being knocked over by jet blasts at an St Maarten where the runway is just yards from a road and the beach on the tiny sunshine isle.
The tourist who is reported to be a 57-year-old from New Zealand, had been standing by the fence at the end of the runway at Princess Juliana Airport on the island of St Maarten. She was watching the plane take off when she was knocked down by the jet blast and hit her head sustaining serious head injuries. She was taken to hospital, where it was later announced that she had died.
St Maarten's is known throughout the world as one of the most exciting airports for plane spotters and thrill seekers as the runway is so close to the narrow road and thin beach.
There are many signs along the beach and airport perimeter fence that warn of the dangers of the jet wash or blast from the aircraft. However, thrill seekers often loop their hands through the wire fence and feel the full force of a departing aircraft.