Girl, 13, Survives Two Days in Jungle after Plane Crash in Panama

By Anastacia Mott Austin

Mixed feelings of grief and amazement met the news that a small plane crash in Panama that killed a father and his young daughter had spared the life of the 13-year-old girl who was traveling with them.

Michael Klein, 37, a hedge fund manager, had been visiting an eco-resort he owned in Panama with his 13-year-old daughter, Talia, and her friend, Francesca. The three were traveling in a small-engine Cessna 172 with 23-year-old pilot Edwin Lasso when it disappeared off of the radar on Sunday during bad weather.

Kim Klein, the ex-wife of Michael Klein and mother of Talia, had narrowed the area where the plane may have gone down, and offered a $25,000 reward for anyone who could locate the plane.

Rescue searchers had looked for over two days for the downed plane without success because of severe weather.

On Christmas day, hikers in the area reportedly saw the plane from a distance and told the rescue group about it. The plane was quickly discovered, along with the news of the deaths of the father and daughter and the pilot.

"This is terrible and traumatic, and I loved them and they are gone," said Kim Klein, in a statement made via text message released to media outlets.

As tragic as the loss of the father and daughter was, a Christmas miracle was found wandering nearby in the Panamanian jungle.

Talia’s friend, Francesca, had apparently been ejected from the plane upon impact, and was found in the dense jungle nearby. Rescue workers carried her on s stretcher for three and a half hours through heavy rain to a helicopter, which had been unable to land any closer. She was treated at a hospital for lacerations, bone fractures, and hypothermia, but was otherwise in good condition. Rescuers marveled at her ability to survive, injured, for over two days in a jungle with such severe weather conditions.

Francesca’s mother, Valerie Lewis, sees it as nothing short of a miracle. "The fact that she so far doesn’t seem to have any major damage seems incredible," said the mother to reporters. "We’re so relieved to have her with us."

Anxious to be reunited with her daughter, Lewis said that they had only been able to speak to her by phone so far. "My husband spoke to her by phone this morning," Lewis told reporters. "She sounded good. She just said ‘Hi, Daddy. See you soon.’"

Michael Klein had been the CEO of Pacificor LLC, a hedge-fund management company based in Santa Barbara. Kurt Benjamin, a representative of the company, told the press that Michael would be missed, adding, "He’s just an unbelievable individual."

Valerie Lewis thanked the volunteers who spent many hours in heavy rains looking for the plane. "I just want to thank all of the people that cared so much about trying to help us. So many people tried to help, and at great effort and sacrifice, and through the Christmas holiday."

Added Lewis, "My heart goes out to everyone. We all have been through a tremendous trauma together."