Thai Plane Crash Survivors Return To Ireland
Updated : Aug 11, 2009
Three teachers who survived a plane crash in Thailand touched down on home soil yesterday for an emotional reunion with family and friends.
Sisters Aoife and Orlagh Creamer, and friend Lesley Dowdall, cut short their dream holiday in south-east Asia after their jet smashed into a disused control tower in the holiday resort of Koh Samui the Herald Reports.
Orlagh (20), a DCU student teacher from Swords, said that while she was scared flying home she never feared for her safety.
“We figured we couldn’t be that unlucky again, we have been in one plane crash already,†said Orlagh, who also works in Sky Music in the airport.
“But it was scary. We’re delighted to be back, but you won’t catch me on a flight for a while.â€
The group climbed through mangled wreckage to get out of the plane, which had skidded on a rain-soaked runway on August 4. They escaped with only cuts and bruises.
The pilot of the Bangkok Airways’ ATR72 was killed in the accident.
The girls have since travelled on four different flights to make the long journey home, where they had a teary meeting with family and friends in a private VIP suite.
Aoife (25), from Rush, Co Dublin, said it was a huge relief to be home. “I couldn’t wait to come home,†she said.
“I’ve never been so glad to be back in Ireland. Dublin Airport was the most amazing sight ever. We’re so relieved.â€