British boy, six, killed in air crash

Published on Saturday 18 April 2009 20:03

A SIX-year-old British boy has been killed and eight other UK nationals injured after a tourist flight crashed in Venezuela, the Foreign Office revealed yesterday.

The dead boy was named as Thomas Horne, who was travelling with his parents and other tourists when the small aircraft came down near Canaima in the south of the country en route to Angel Falls, a popular tourist destination.

A Foreign Office spokesman said the injured had been airlifted to hospital in Cuidad Bolivar, the nearest town to Canaima.

The boy's aunt and uncle, June and Chris Holman, said his parents, Dave and Jane Horne, were devastated by their son's death. Mrs Holman said: "I am sure you can appreciate that there is nothing worse than losing a loved one, especially a young child."

The expedition to Angel Falls was organised by tour operator First Choice. A spokeswoman for the holiday firm said: "First Choice regrets to confirm one of its customers has tragically died following a light-aircraft accident in Venezuela on Friday."

She added: "At this stage, we are unable to confirm exact details of the accident.

First Choice resort staff are offering support and assistance to the families of those involved and will endeavour to do everything they can for them at this difficult time."