NZ volcano tragedy: prayers for a daughter lost as sibling, father fight for life

Krystal Browitt, 21, today confirmed as the ninth Australian to have perished in the White Island volcano eruption.

Krystal and Stephanie Browitt who were both caught up in the White Island eruption. Picture: Supplied

When the wife of Victorian Mark Latham died on Christmas Eve three years ago, Marie Browitt was on his doorstep that evening with Salvation Army gifts for his children, then aged 9 and 12.

Now, Mr Latham says, it’s his turn to pull together with other neighbours from their Craigieburn cul-de-sac in outer Melbourne to support Ms Browitt as she comes to terms with tragedy following the White Island volcano eruption.

Her daughter Krystal, 21, was today confirmed as the ninth Australian to have perished in the disaster. Her 23-year-old daughter Stephanie and husband Paul have been transferred to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne, where they remain in a critical condition.

Up to 15 Australian citizens and residents are feared dead following Monday’s eruption. Those named so far, in addition to Kystal Browitt, include Adelaide lawyer Gavin Dallow, 53; his stepdaughter Zoe Hosking, 15; Brisbane IT developer Julie Richards, 47, and her vet science student daughter Jessica, 20; Coffs Harbour couple Richard Elzer and Karla Matthews, both 32, and their friend Jason Griffiths, 33; and Knox Grammar brothers Berend, 16, and Matthew, 13 and their parents Martin and Barbara Hollander of Sydney.

Sydney couple Anthony and Kristine Langford, and their daughter Winona, 17, remain missing. Family members have indicated the Langfords’ son Jesse, 19, survived. Eleven survivors were on Friday back home under the care of Australian specialists, including Zoe Hosking’s mother, Lisa Dallow, 48, who like the Browitts, ­remains in The Alfred in a critical condition.

At least ten Australians remain in critical condition in local hospitals five days after the deadly White Island volcano eruption in New Zealand. Two NSW residents who arrived overnight at Sydney’s Royal North Shore hospital are among seven across Sydney hospitals listed in a critical condition. Two other NSW residents are stable while another’s family has requested privacy. Three patients evacuated from New Zealand to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne are also critically ill.

Sydney’s Concord Hospital was treating five people, with most in a critical condition.

The front yard of the Browitts’ brick-veneer home in Craigieburn was full of reminders of the life they intended to resume following a 12-night cruise to New Zealand to celebrate Krystal’s birthday.

Three cars remained in the driveway, one with P-plates, while Christmas decorations adorned the front veranda and a sign spruiked Ms Browitt’s remedial massage business.

Neighbours yesterday spoke of them as the most generous and loving of families.

“I lost my wife in 2016, Christmas Eve, through illness … and Marie came knocking at the door that evening with the Salvation Army with presents in tow. That’s the sort of people they are,” said Mr Latham, 57.

He said the Browitts had been very protective of their daughters.

“That’s why I’m thinking there mustn’t have been too many warnings about (the volcano) … but if you stop people from doing what you think’s going to be dangerous, we’d do nothing,” Mr Latham said.

“Probably Krystal’s gone … but she’s died doing something that she wanted to do in life.

“The other two, I’m just praying and hoping they come good.”

Mr Latham said Marie Browitt had an illness that meant she could not have much exposure to the sun, which meant she had stayed on the ship while the rest of the family visited White Island.

“Sometimes she’s very sick, and maybe that’s a blessing because she’s safe,” he said.

“When I do lay eyes on her, I will go out of my way to see her, but what can you say? She’s lost her daughter, could lose two more. I hope and pray she won’t.”