Saturday, Feb 09, 2013
(Use emailed pic from radio station)
Dubai: A Dubai-based journalist on assignment for her employer Dubai Eye radio station of Arabian News Network is dead following a boating accident in Seychelles on Friday evening.
Rebecca Davidson, a 35-year-old New Zealand native, was reportedly killed when the boat she was travelling in collided with another boat in the Indian Ocean archipelago off the east coast of Africa.
Davidson worked as deputy head of programming at the news centre at Dubai Eye and was working on travel-related stories for the station.
Authorities in Seychelle said they are investigating the accident.
ARN Chief Operating Officer Steve Smith told Gulf News: “It’s a terrible situation, all at ARN are feeling it.” He added Davidson’s colleague, Lucy Taylor, who was hurt in the incident, is “out of danger.” She is expected to return to Dubai.
“She (Taylor) is going to be ok. We don’t know when she’ll return; (hopefully) sooner than later. We are taking it one step at a time, we are dealing with the authorities over there (in Seychelles).”
The ARN said in a statement: “The Arabian Radio Network is deeply saddened at the news of the death of Rebecca Davidson, the deputy head of programming at Dubai Eye 103.8 and the ARN News Centre, who died during an accident on board a boat during a press trip to the Seychelles.
“Rebecca was a wonderful individual who was full of life, admired hugely by her colleagues and well loved by all who knew her. Rebecca was on a press trip to the Seychelles to gather stories for the station in her own unique and innovative style.”
It quoted ARN General Manager Mahmoud al Rasheed as saying: “We are one family at ARN and all of us would like to send our condolences to the family of Rebecca. She will be greatly missed by the entire team at ARN.”
Smith added: “We are shocked and saddened at the loss of Rebecca, who was a key member of our team, a close friend to all and without a doubt a talented, rising star of the future. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rebecca’s family in New Zealand.”
By Faisal Masudi Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
