Plane watchers blown over

Three hurt by Air New Zealand jet blast in Rarotonga The blast from an Air New Zealand jet put three people in hospital in Rarotonga. Three tourists were taken to hospital after they were blown over by a jet blast while watching an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 take off in Rarotonga (Cook Islands). A public road runs by the end of the runway at Rarotonga International Airport, and standing in the blast zone has become a draw for thrill seekers. Witnesses told the the CI News site in the Cook Islands that the blast from the take-off was so strong that it threw the tourists to the ground, knocking one unconscious. All three have since been released from hospital. The incident, last Thursday, prompted Airport Authority chief executive Joe Ngamata to warn people to be careful. "We don't have any control over people going on public roads, but the signs are all there in red," he told the Cook Islands News. Ngamata is quoted as saying some tourists didn't realise the danger involved. "People just need to be careful when a jet is taking off, and it would be better for them not to cross at all until the blast has gone." Island resident Larry Price told CI News warning signs in the area weren't clear enough. "I don't believe there is adequate protection for the public on the Nikao side of the runway." An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said the flight operated according to standard operating procedures in place at Rarotonga Airport. She understood there were warning signs on the airport perimeter.