The family of Andrew Blackwood-Murray, a widely respected pilot, has publicly expressed their profound gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received during this heartbreaking time. 

Andrew, a 61-year-old SAA and aerobatic pilot, remains missing after his light aircraft crashed into the ocean at Battery Beach in Durban on August 14. Parts of the plane have been recovered, but Andrew has not been found.

Speaking from her heart and on behalf of Andrew’s family, his wife, Kyla Blackwood-Murray, reflected on the outpouring of compassion from friends, colleagues, and the aviation community, saying it has provided solace as they navigate their grief.

Blackwood-Murray expressed heartfelt gratitude and love for the outpouring of support and compassion received from friends, colleagues, the aviation community, and all of those who knew and loved Andrew in this tragic and difficult time. 

She said they were forever grateful to everyone, both near and far, who has selflessly offered support and care – including many people they don’t know, who have been touched by his story.

“Andrew departed our lives doing what he loved most. We will always wonder why, but we will cherish his memory and celebrate his life, returning to the places he loved most to remember him,” Blackwood-Murray said on social media. 

“We are thankful that some personal items were recovered during the search, and we are truly thankful to the various teams for this.”

Blackwood-Murray said there were too many people to thank individually, people who have held their hands and embraced them through this ongoing tragedy that has affected their lives suddenly and completely. 

“We honour you all; we cannot thank you enough. The time will come when we can individually and personally express our gratitude for your heartfelt support,” she said. 

“Firstly, Nashua, thank you for being the wind beneath his wings –  the immense pride he took in flying your banner.

“To SAA (South African Airways), where Andrew flew for most of his life, thank you for being our anchor through this difficult time,” Blackwood-Murray continued.

She also thanked all the authorities, Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the SA Police Services and its police divers, the Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID), Metro Police, lifeguards, Netcare 911, Rescue SA, Durban Underwater Club, Red Line Response paramedics, the SA Navy, eThekwini Municipality, Virginia Airport, Sea Shadow (“with your specialised search equipment that you volunteered”), the local Good Samaritans who have helped in the search; “you are more than heroes”, GARMIN, Durban Marine, and to National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Durban, “for your precision, professionalism and tireless determination and for all you have done and are doing – we are immensely humbled by your relentless pursuit in Andrew’s search and rescue operation. As a family, we honour and salute you all.”

She then expressed gratitude to the media for their respectful and accurate reporting of the unfolding incident.

“As a family, we are not ready to talk publicly, and we don’t know if we ever will be. We respectfully request privacy while we continue to struggle with the devastating loss of our one and only Andrew,” Blackwood-Murray said. 

Meanwhile, NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon confirmed that the search for Andrew remains ongoing. They are still hopeful something will wash ashore.

They appealed to the public to let them and the police know if they see anything, so that it can be recovered for the ongoing investigation into the aeronautical accident.

Lambinon explained that there are two aspects in a case like this. One is that all efforts are to find anything that the family can hold and have for closure, but also, it is an aircraft accident, so any plane parts that can be discovered or recovered contribute to the AIID to conduct a formal investigation into what happened.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za 

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