Tributes poured in for a grandmother who was killed when she was hit by a helicopter landing at a hospital.
‘Loving’ Jean Langan, 87, tragically died yesterday after the plane landed at a helipad at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed the helicopter was transporting a patient to hospital at the time of Friday’s tragic incident.
Jean’s niece Gael said the elderly woman was “blown” by the helicopter as it flew backwards and slammed into the concrete.
She suffered serious head injuries and later died in hospital, police confirmed.
Gael was taking his aunt to a hospital appointment when tragedy struck – as the helicopter’s downdraft blasted the couple to the ground.
Jean’s grieving niece said she was with her ‘before, during and after’ the horror ordeal – which happened on a footpath near the helipad.
Gael said she was not seriously injured and “just had various aches and pains” this morning.
Jean’s heartbroken family today said the 87-year-old would be ‘lovingly remembered’ and leave a ‘big hole’ in their lives.
Gael Hill, with whom Jean lived for over a decade, told The Sun: “Despite her age, Jean was very physically active, she walked for miles, she liked to keep herself busy.
“She was a loving mother of one son and three grandchildren, whom she treasured.
“She had many nieces and nephews and she had a very generous nature.
“Jean lived with me and had done so for 10 years or more, she loved seeing my children and grandchildren during their visits, it gave her great pleasure to interact with the little ones.
‘MUCH MISSED’
“She will leave a big hole in our family and will be greatly missed and remembered fondly. »
Michael Hill, Jean’s great-nephew also said, “I’m just shocked. We want the hospital and the coast guard to be held accountable.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “Our deepest condolences go out to those affected by the incident at Derriford Hospital.
“It would be inappropriate to comment while the incident is being investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police and the Air Accident Investigation Branch. »
Devon and Cornwall Police Detective Inspector Andy Hodges has confirmed an 87-year-old man died after being knocked down by the downdraft from the helicopter landing.
He said: “She suffered a serious head injury and later died in Derriford Hospital. »
A second woman, aged 80, was in the parking lot and the draft slammed her car door as she got out of her vehicle.
She suffered a broken pelvis and is hospitalized in stable condition.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said an HM Coastguard helicopter was transporting a patient to Derriford Hospital and ‘when it landed there was an incident which is currently under investigation by the police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch”.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the family had been notified of the tragedy.
–
