WELLINGTON - Twelve survivors of an Ansett plane crash five years ago are pleased to have reached a confidential settlement with the airline, according to their lawyer.
The survivors, represented by Auckland lawyer Paul Dale, had been seeking punitive damages totalling about $3 million.
Two other survivors were not included in the
settlement.
Four people were killed and 14 injured when flight 703 crashed in steep country to the south of the Manawatu Gorge in the Tararua Ranges while approaching Palmerston North airport in June 1995.
The settlement was finally reached on Friday, but all details remain confidential, including the total amount of the settlement and when the money will be allocated.
"Everyone is pleased to get something like this over," Mr Dale said yesterday.
"Litigation is a long and gruelling process and, of course, there are painful memories of what happened.
"They were keen to get it over and done with."
All legal action by the 12 survivors, begun three years ago, was dropped.
"Everything has been concluded," Mr Dale said.
Ansett spokesman John Cordery confirmed that the settlement had been reached but refused to comment further.
- NZPA
