Woman killed in freak accident as she's hit by plane while riding lawnmower at airport
A 27-year-old Oklahoma woman has died after being hit by the wing of a plane while she was driving a lawnmower.
Samantha Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene at Broken Bow Airport in Oklahoma after the freak accident took place on Friday (29 September).
Hayes was driving the lawnmower by the runway at the airport when 70-year-old James Baxter came in to land in his 1972 Bonanza A36.
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The pilot landed the plane on the runway without incident, but it wasn't until he touched down that he saw Hayes on the lawnmower.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Baxter quickly attempted to pull up again to get the wing over Hayes.
Unfortunately, his efforts were unsuccessful and Hayes was hit by the wing of the plane.
She suffered a head injury as a result of the collision, and died at the scene.
Hayes has since been described as a 'wonderful, great mom' by loved ones, who have been sharing tributes to her online in the wake of her death.
Darlene Tadleigh wrote: "Thank you all for the prayers, food, and everything! People have messaged wanting to know what happened. I'm not gonna say but I will say that Samantha Hayes was a wonderful great mom to her 3 babies! She was a single mom who worked hard to give them a safe and loving home!"
"These babies knew they were loved everyday all day! Them babies will know how much their momma loved them. We never know when these things are gonna happen but they can and for her it did."
Tadleig went on to say Hayes' death was 'hard to process', especially because she was 'still needed here'.
However, she said: "[God's] ways are higher than our ways even when it's hard to understand. Please keep the prayers coming for her family."
Another friend shared a picture of Hayes online, writing: "I will forever cherish those memories we made they are absolutely precious to me. I wish we had more time, Sammy. We love you."
Other friends assured Hayes' children would be cared for by her family and the loved ones around them.
Broken Bow is a small airport located just west of the city of Broken Bow, and consists of a 3200-foot lighted runway as well as three hangars and an office.
It is unclear whether Hayes worked at the small airport, but the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.
Emily Brown