Future of Christian, Misty Kath’s daughter revealed after Florida plane crash
Loved ones of a Queensland family, killed in a US light plane crash, have revealed the immediate future of the lone surviving daughter as tributes flow and a fundraiser is launched.
Gympie
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gympie. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The heartbroken young daughter of a former Gympie man and his wife, who were tragically killed in an overseas light plane crash, will living with her maternal grandparents in Australia, a family friend has revealed.
The 10-year-old girl’s parents, pilot father Christian Kath, mother Misty, and older sister Lily were travelling in a plane when it crashed near Venice Beach, Florida, at the weekend.
Mr Kath was piloting the Cherokee Piper aircraft when it went down shortly after takeoff.
New details in Kingaroy pharma empire’s almost $2m fine
The trio was headed back to their St Petersburg home, having flown down the coast for dinner.
Their surviving 10-year-old daughter was staying at a friend’s home when the crash happened.
Bombshell snake death claim: Dad ‘didn’t know’ son was bitten
Jean Underhill, a friend of Misty’s mother Penny Smith Emerson, said on Facebook the daughter was headed back to Australia to be looked after by Mrs Smith and her husband John Smith Emerson.
“We are rallying around to support her and (her) husband who will be looking after … their youngest granddaughter, who was not on the flight and who will be returning to Australia.”
She said Mrs Kath was an only child.
Mrs Underhill’s post was one of many from family friends and former work colleagues paying tribute to Mr Kath and the family following the tragedy.
Former Superbee Honey Factory co-worker Brooke Tierney, who worked with Mr Kath in the 2000s, said on Facebook it “doesn’t feel real”.
“Life and your career had taken you to some amazing places – definitely worlds away from our days at the Superbee,” she said.
“My heart goes out to your beautiful daughter and both of your families. I can’t believe this.
“I’ll always remember you as the incredibly kind and smart legend that you were.”
Another former colleague of Mr Kath’s, Stuart French, paid tribute to the “one person who regularly kept in touch” after Mr French left the company where they’d worked together.
“Chris was one of the good guys,” Mr French said in the post.
“Not just ethically.
“He really understood management systems and how people work together for a common good.
“Most of all he encouraged me to smile through the building phase when nothing seems to be working out.
“I will miss you Christian.
“I was looking forward to you returning to Australia but now that will never happen.”
The bodies of Mrs Kath and Lily were found in the wake of the crash.
Authorities called off the search for Mr Kath’s body on Wednesday (Australian time), with the search area now exceeding 2000 square nautical miles.
Speaking with Channel 7 on Wednesday, Mr Kath’s father Chris said the youngest daughter had been trying to text her parents, asking when they were coming to pick her up.
The Kaths had been living in America for five years.
Mr Kath was a former Gympie resident, moving to Dagun in the Mary Valley after completing school in the city.
He first worked as an operating manager of Kenilworth Cheese and then Superbee, before eventually relocating to Chicago and then Florida.
Family friend Caleb McGuire, speaking with 2GB radio’s Ben Fordham Wednesday, said the family had plans to return to Australia.
“He wanted to come back and get his kids back into the school system … and be brought up as Australians,” Mr McGuire said.
WATCH: Old Queenslander home explodes in flames
An old Queenslander has been fully engulfed in flames with locals running towards the scene to see the drama unfold. VIDEO
Mega gallery: Glitz and glam of Gympie Business Awards
The 2024 Gympie Business Awards drew a packed audience, with 320 attendees braving a sweltering Gympie night to honour local excellence. See the gorgeous gallery and list of winners here: