American named as 21st New Zealand White Island volcano victim

The 21st victim of the White Island volcano disaster has been revealed, an American who had been travelling with his wife who also died.

New Zealand Police have revealed the 21st victim of December’s White Island eruption is American Pratap ‘Paul’ Singh.

Mr Singh was visiting White Island from Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Mayuri ‘Mary’ Singh, who also died as a result of burns suffered in the eruption.

The pair’s nephew, Bhupender ‘Vick’ Singh, released a statement on Thursday night, describing his uncle Paul as an “invincible businessman” and his aunty Mary as “a true supermom”.

“His unmatched exuberance and unconditional love for everyone around him will forever be missed,” Bhupender Singh said.

“He was the best father, best guardian, best brother, best uncle, best volunteer and the best friend anyone could wish.”

The White Island volcano eruption has claimed 21 lives. Picture: YouTube/Allessandro Kauffmann

After learning his family members were caught up in the eruption, Bhupender Singh travelled to New Zealand to care for them.

He arrived on December 10, 12 days before Mrs Singh succumbed to her injuries, having suffered burns to 72 per cent of her body.

Mr Singh, who suffered burns to 55 per cent of his body, was also stationed at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital - the site of the country’s major burns unit.

“I visited Paul and Mary every day since December 10 while they were at the Middlemore Hospital. The last 50 days were distressing, slow and agonisingly painful,” Bhupender Singh said.

“We would like to commend and acknowledge the doctors/consultants, nurses and the administrative staff of Middlemore Hospital for their efforts in providing best medical attention and care possible in New Zealand.

“We offer our sincere condolences and do share the pain and sorrow of the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic incident.”

Of the 21 killed in the blast, 14 were Australian.

Several others remain in Australian and New Zealand hospitals receiving treatment.

White Island was a popular tourist attraction in the Bay of Plenty. Picture: AFP/NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE

Four Americans and two New Zealanders died in the disaster, many of whom were passengers on-board the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas cruise ship.

Australian victims include 21-year-old Melbourne woman Krystal Browitt and her father Paul, who died of his injuries at the Alfred Hospital earlier this month.

Sydney residents Martin and Barabara Hollander, 48 and 50, and their two teenage sons, Berend and Matthew, also died in the eruption, along with 51-year-old Anthony Langford, his wife Kristine, 45, and their 17-year-old daughter Winona, whose body was never recovered.

The Langfords’ 19-year-old son, Jesse, survived and watched their funeral from his hospital bed in the burns unit of the Royal North Shore Hospital.

Queensland mother Julie Richards, 47, and her 20-year-old daughter Jessica, Coffs Harbour friends Richard Elzer, 32, Karla Matthews, 32, and Jason Griffiths, 33, and Adelaide man Gavin Dallow, 53, and his 15-year-old stepdaughter Zoe Hosking were also among the dead.