Browitt family devastated by White Island volcano want ‘justice and accountability’
Marie Browitt says “this fight” is all she has left after losing her husband and youngest daughter in the White Island volcano tragedy.
Victoria
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Marie Browitt has vowed to fight for justice for her daughter and husband, killed in the White Island volcano eruption, saying her grief was “slowly killing” her too.
Ms Browitt told the Herald Sun that she was “nothing” without her youngest daughter Krystal, who perished in the disaster, and husband Paul, who later succumbed to his injuries, as New Zealand authorities finally laid charges over the tragedy.
“My silent screams are slowly killing me. I can only hope to see justice before I, too, go,” she said.
“They deserve justice and accountability. I am nothing without them, so this fight is all I have left now. Their lives matter.”
Ms Browitt’s heartbreaking message comes ahead of the first anniversary of the December 9 eruption and after the family marked what would have been Krystal’s 22 birthday this week.
She said she spent Sunday laying “birthday flowers” on her daughter’s grave.
Marie’s eldest daughter Stephanie, 24, who was also on the island when it erupted, miraculously survived but sustained horrific burns which require ongoing surgeries and painful treatment.
Mrs Browitt was the only member of the tight-knit family to remain on board the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas on the day of the eruption.
“My heart is shattered, I will never heal. I am not living, I am surviving. Surviving only to help Stephanie go on. To help her heal as much as possible before, I too, can rest beside my family. In days, it will be the one year anniversary (of the eruption),” Mrs Browitt said.
Forty-seven people were on White Island when it erupted. Twenty-two people, including 17 Australians died.
Ten organisations now face charges under New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act, while three individuals will answer to charges relating to exercising due diligence to ensure their company met its health and safety obligations.
Stephanie Browitt said she should have been celebrating with Krystal on Sunday but instead could only “commemorate” her sibling’s birthday.
Krystal was dead because she had been “let down by multiple people”, Stephanie posted on Instagram.
“Something no parent should ever go through or sibling at this age … you are so perfect, caring, loving and intelligent. Such a down to earth and true to yourself angel,” Stephanie posted.
“You should still be here, you deserved so, so much better in life but instead we were let down by multiple people.
“I love you so much Krystal, so damn much … I hope dad’s holding you tight and hugging you for both mum and myself … Krystal I need you here with me … you should be here.”
Mrs Browitt said she wanted to thank the two pilots who “went out there, risking their lives so heroically, to save others”, after the deadly eruption.
“They should be commended with medals,” she said.
WorkSafe New Zealand chief executive Phil Parkes has described the investigation into the White Island tragedy as the “largest and most complex” ever undertaken by the organisation.
A spokesman for WorkSafe New Zealand told the Herald Sun on Tuesday its role as a regulator would be examined.
“It’s WorkSafe’s role to investigate when these systems don’t protect people and hold those who have breached New Zealand health and safety law to account,” the spokesman said.
“The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is undertaking a targeted review of the adventure activities regulatory regime.
“MBIE’s review considers whether unintended weaknesses exist in the adventure activities regime when adventure activities take place in naturally hazardous environments. This will consider WorkSafe’s role as the regulator.”
A preliminary hearing for the charges will be held on December 15 in the Auckland District Court.
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