In Memory of Rebecca, Forever to be 26

A fund called Forever 26, in memory of Blenheim honeymooner Rebecca Crawley killed while snorkeling in Fiji, has been started to improve safety in the island resorts - and to make accountable those who caused her death.

Rebecca, who would have turned 27 yesterday, was snorkeling with her husband of just six days, Hayden Stockwell, at the island of Matamanoa on November 30 when she was struck by a boat's propeller.

Rebecca's father, Mark Crawley, said the fund was in her memory so the family could take something positive out of what had happened.

"We hope that somehow in her death there is as much if not more meaning than there was in her life.

"The fund would be applied to water safety to stop this ever happening again.

"We understand that you can never make anything 100 per cent safe, but if we can stop one other family going through what we have in losing Rebecca -- it's not enough but is at least something which gives some meaning."

Part of the fund would also be used to "make accountable those who through their negligence have caused such a senseless death".

Donations to the fund can be made through a tribute website, FOREVER26.com, or a National Bank account.

Within New Zealand, the Account details are:

National Bank, Blenheim Branch
Account Name, FOREVER 26
Account 06 - 0601 - 0211815 - 30

Internationally, the Account details are:

The National Bank of New Zealand, Blenheim Branch
40 - 42 Market Street, Blenheim
SWIFT Code ANZBNZ22
Account Name, FOREVER 26
Account 06 - 0601 - 0211815 - 30
Sort Code (if Required separately) 06 - 0601

The family is waiting for the outcome of a Fiji police inquiry into the death, and in New Zealand Christchurch-based Coroner Sue Johnson has started an inquiry.

The coroner said she was not satisfied that all the circumstances would be inquired into in Fiji. "If necessary I will ask somebody from the New Zealand police to go to Fiji ... it's something I would do if I felt I needed to get information."

The coroner has been able to open an inquiry because Rebecca's body was returned to New Zealand.

Wth permission of the Press.