Families share heartbreaking detail after young couple perish in light plane crash
The “utterly grief-stricken” families of a Queensland couple who died after their plane crashed in terrible weather have shared what the newlyweds planned on naming their unborn daughter.
The pilot, Rhiley Khurt, 22, was accompanied by his wife Maree, 24, who was understood to be 27 weeks pregnant with their first child.
The pair were reported missing on April 2 after their Piper Cherokee failed to reach its destination at Lakeside Airpark, Bloomsbury.
The wreckage was discovered in rugged terrain in the Mount Hector region by a rescue helicopter on the following morning, April 3. A specialist police unit is currently on the scene to start the recovery mission.
A GoFundMe was set up to provide support to both families, Mr Khurt’s sister Beccarah Markham-Gaudion shared that the couple “and their beautiful unborn baby girl Phoebe” had “tragically lost their lives during a routine flight to see family”.
“We are all absolutely heartbroken and utterly grief-stricken. Three incredible lives were cut way too short,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“Whilst we grieve and try seek comfort in each other, we ask for your help and support us in covering costs for Rhiley, Maree, and angel baby Phoebe's funerals. We would like to thank you all for your condolences, sympathies, and ongoing support during this dark time in our lives. We appreciate it more than you know.”
Devastated friends have shared tributes on Maree’s social media for the couple, who were married in October 2022 after getting engaged in June 2021. Maree had posted a photo of her belly on Instagram just one day before her tragic death, saying she was “getting closer and closer to meeting [her] baby girl”.
“RIP to the most beautiful cowgirl inside and out I knew. I can’t believe your gone. I was only talking to you three days ago. We were talking about you being so happy and so excited to be a mum,” Sarah Hall posted on Maree’s Facebook. “I am so shocked and devastated by the news this afternoon. You meant so much to so many people, you were a beautiful person inside and out,” Nicole Williams said.
“I was so excited to find out you were only three weeks ahead of me in pregnancy, and that our babies would be able to grow up knowing each other and ride horses together when we visited.”
“A fella couldn’t help but be constantly impressed by Maree and Rhiley's sense of adventure and zest for life,” Russell Freeman posted. “You figure quick they’re a special kind when you’re helping her onto the back of a rodeo bull and see he’s managing cattle stations at such a young age.”
Police Inspector Andrew Godbold said preliminary investigations suggest visibility was poor when the aircraft crashed, and indicated the retrieval mission will take two to three days.
“A lot of showers, thunder and probably visibility down to nothing,” he said. “It’s a very rugged terrain there. There’s obviously a lot of mountainous terrain in the area there and it is very difficult for us even just to walk in at this stage.”
Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) are heading to the crash site to gather evidence, including any recorded data, and weather information and are seeking witness reports and aircraft operator procedures and maintenance records.
The agency expects to publish a preliminary report within the next six to eight weeks, with a final report including any contributing factors and identified safety issues.
“Should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken,” it said.
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