Fiji boat accident kills Kiwi bride

LIFE CUT SHORT: Rebecca Stockwell.

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A Marlborough bride has been killed on her honeymoon in Fiji in a horrific boating accident. Rebecca Stockwell, nee Crawley, was snorkelling when a boat propeller struck her.

The 27-year-old from Blenheim had been married for just six days to Hayden Stockwell. They were married at Crawley's sister's house in Blenheim on Saturday, November 24, and flew to Fiji last Wednesday for their honeymoon.

They were snorkelling together at 10.30am on Friday off the island of Matamanoa, on the west coast of Viti Levu, when a passing boat hit Crawley with its propeller, Fiji police spokesman Josaia Weicavu said.

The boatman, who is a labourer at the resort hotel, went for help.

Crawley was airlifted to a Lautoka hospital but died, Weicavu said.

Police had interviewed the boatman, who told them he did not see the couple snorkelling.

The police were waiting for the post-mortem report, Weicavu said.

Six members of the couple's grieving families have travelled to Fiji to support Stockwell.

In a death notice published yesterday, addressed to his "darling wife Boodles", Stockwell said: "What we had was so short, but nothing or nobody has ever in my life made me as happy as you have. Your infectious laugh and smile and your glowing eyes will be in my heart forever."

Crawley's colleagues at Mark Stevenson First National Real Estate, where she had worked for seven months as a saleswoman, were devastated.

"Bec was a fabulous person who was always full of joy. A very caring and positive person, she was loved by us all," Stevenson said.

"The planning and lead-up over the past months to Bec's recent marriage was for all of us a wonderful experience and we are struggling to come to terms with the tragic accident that has ended Bec's life."

- © Fairfax NZ News