OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 5.15pm.
A South African emigrant to the US recovered the suitcase of a passenger on board John F Kennedy Junior’s missing aircraft.
In a telephone interview with Sapa from the beachside resort of Martha’s Vineyard, Damon Seligson, 30, on Sunday said: “It’s surreal to be associated with this.”
Seligson’s face appeared on television screens across the globe at the weekend after he waded into the surf at Martha’s Vineyard to retrieve the suitcase — the first trace of the light aircraft.
The luggage belonged to Lauren Bessette, the sister of Kennedy’s wife, Carolyn. The two sisters and Kennedy were all on board the plane.
The discovery narrowed the US Coast Guard’s search for the aircraft down to about 2000 square kilometres.
No other debris has been discovered in addition to the suitcase, carpeting, a headrest and a prescription bottle bearing Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s name.
Four South African newspapers on Monday carried news of the disappearance of John F. Kennedy Jr. on their front pages, but only two devoted column space to stories on his life, his family and the so-called “Kennedy curse” haunting them.
On Monday morning rescuers and coast guard officials finally conceded that John F. Kennedy Jr. was dead, more than two days after his plane went missing.
The plane, a single-engine Piper Saratoga, was piloted by the 38-year-old Kennedy. His wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren Bessette were also aboard when it disappeared off Martha’s Vineyard, and exclusive east coast resort, late Friday. –AFP