A woman died after being struck by a plane wing while riding a lawnmower at an Oklahoma airport on Friday, according to officials.
Samantha Hayes, 27, of Idabel, struck and killed the 1972 Bonanza A36 wing as it landed at Broken Bow Airport in McCurtain County on Friday, according to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report obtained by PEOPLE.
Hayes was riding a lawnmower when she was hit, OHP said. The 70-year-old pilot spotted her during the descent and “attempted to raise” and “flip the wing over the person” but hit her instead.
The Oklahoma woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The pilot was not injured.
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Hayes worked for the Broken Bow Parks Department, according to NBC News.
“We are heartbroken and devastated by the death of one of our team members on September 29th. This is a terribly tragic accident and our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the employee,” said City Manager Vickie Patterson. statement.
“It is critical that we determine how this accident occurred so that we can take steps to prevent something like this from happening again,” she added. “Our goal is to get every employee home safely every day.”
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In a Facebook post honoring Hayes, a friend remembered Hayes as a hard-working single mother who was “wonderful” and “great” to her three children.
“These babies knew they were loved,” Darlene Tadleigh wrote, adding that the children “will know how much mommy loved them.”
Another friend, Brooke Dean, said in another Facebook post that there was “never” a dull moment when she was with Hayes.
“I will always cherish those memories we made, they are absolutely precious to me,” added Dean. “I wish we had more time, Sammy. We love you 🤍.”
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A third friend said Hayes was “one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.”
“I’m so angry and upset that I just don’t understand at all,” the friend wrote. “You should be here.”
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The crash is under investigation, according to officials.
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