A SINGLE mom of three has died after she was struck by an airplane wing while mowing the grass at an airport.
Samantha Hayes, 27, was working at Broken Bow Airport in Oklahoma when a 70-year-old pilot touched down on the runway at around 2.30pm.
FacebookSingle mom of three Samantha Hayes, 27, was killed while mowing the grass at Broken Bow Airport in Oklahoma[/caption]
Google MapsA 70-year-old pilot spotted her near the runway after landing his plane but hit her in the head despite his attempts to maneuver away[/caption]
FacebookHayes has been remembered by friends as a hardworking mom who never talked down to anyone[/caption]
The pilot, James Baxter, saw Hayes working and tried to pull back up on the plane to get the wing over her, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.
But the maneuver was too late, and she was killed on impact after being struck in the head.
Baxter was unharmed in the incident.
Hayes’ death is being investigated by officials.
She worked in the parks department for the city of Broken Bow, which is about three hours south of Tulsa.
She’s been remembered as a hardworking single mom who never talked down to anyone.
“You were so full of life and had a whole life ahead of you with your precious babies,” one friend said on Facebook.
“I am so mad and upset I just don’t understand at all.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever faced, I promise I’ll never forget you.
“This isn’t goodbye but I’ll see you later, I love you Sammy. You should be here.”
The Broken Bow airport is small with a runway that only stretches 3,200 feet.
The airport does not employ air traffic controllers, so pilots self-announce their landings and takeoffs.
“We are heartbroken and devastated by the passing of one of our team members on September 29,” City Manager Vickie Patterson said in a statement.
“This is a terribly tragic accident, and our deepest sympathies go out to the employees’ family and friends.
“It’s critical that we determine how this accident occurred so we can take steps to prevent something like this from happening again.
“Our goal is to return every employee home safely every day.”
Patterson said based on the city’s investigation, extra safety measures could be put in place.
Another friend of Hayes asked for prayers and promised to help take care of her three orphaned children.
“Them babies will know how much their momma loved them,” she wrote on Facebook.
“God knew his plan for her and it’s hard for us to process because she was still needed here, but his ways are higher than our ways even when it’s hard to understand.
“Please keep the prayers coming for her family.”
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