Woman dead after jet blast at world's 'scariest' airport
Digital Reporter
Thursday, July 13, 2017, 9:25 PM - Recognized globally as one of the scariest airports for travellers due to its treacherous flight path, Sint Maarten's Princess Juliana airport turned deadly Wednesday after a tourist from New Zealand was killed after being blown down by a jet blast by a low-flying jet aircraft.
The Dutch Caribbean island's airport is world famous for the extreme low approach aircraft have to take to land and take off from there. The victim, a 57-year-old woman, was one of several people holding onto the airport fence during one such take-off. She was blown down by the blast and critically injured, according to a statement released by Sint Maarten's police force.
"On the scene paramedics encountered a female victim who was not responding very well and she was immediately taken to the Sint Maarten Medical Center for further treatment," the police said. "Unfortunately the victim died shortly after as a result of the injuries she sustained."
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Though that particular airport is attractive to thrill-seekers due to the low-flying aircraft, the police say the practice is very dangerous, with authorities placing signs warning against it, along with regular police patrols.
The best sight for tourists for many years was the occasional Boeing 747, the best icon of the airport. Dutch carrier KLM discontinued the use of Boeing 747s along that route late in 2016, opting to use a smaller Airbus A330, though the airport may still receive the occasional charter 747 flight.
747 or no, there are still plenty of jets coming in and out, and the airport features on our list of the most terrifying airports in the world.
