Vicious pirates raid the yacht of a family on a shooting a father dead and attacking his wife

Vicious pirates raid the yacht of a family on round-the-world trip of a lifetime, shooting dead a father, 60, and attacking his wife with a machete

  • Alan Culverwell, 60, was fatally shot by pirates on a family yacht in Panama
  • His family awoke to a noise at the vessel’s roof, which Mr Culverwell checked on 
  • The father-of-two was shot, while his wife Derryn was attacked with a machete 

Pirates have raided the yacht of a family on a round-the-world trip, shooting a father dead and attacking his wife and child with a machete.

New Zealand man Alan Culverwell, 60, was killed by armed robbers on his 65-foot yacht near Morodub island in the Guna Yala district in Panama’s north-east about 2am on Thursday local time.

The father-of-two was wounded with knives before being shot by a group of hooded attackers who stole a boat engine, Stuff reported.

His wife Derryn and daughter Briar were injured and taken to hospital in Panama City.

New Zealand man Alan Culverwell (pictured), 60, was killed by the armed robbers on his 65-foot yacht

The father-of-two was wounded with knives before being shot by a group of hooded attackers

The father-of-two was wounded with knives before being shot by a group of hooded attackers

Their other child, Fynn, was reportedly unharmed.

The family began their two-year sailing adventure after purchasing the yacht in the US and had been travelling around the Caribbean.

Panama was to be their final destination before making their way back to New Zealand.

The family were woken up by a noise on the yacht’s roof, which Mr Culverwell went out to check before he was fatally shot.

One of the pirates then attacked Derryn with a machete. She was later able to call friends and family in New Zealand for help, the NZ Herald reported.

Loved ones of the Culverwell family have made plans to book flights and get visas to fly from New Zealand to Panama.

Mr Culverwell was described as a ‘legend’ and a ‘brilliant teacher’ by his friends.

The family began their two-year sailing adventure after purchasing the yacht in the US and had been travelling around the Carribean

The family began their two-year sailing adventure after purchasing the yacht in the US and had been travelling around the Carribean

A GoFundMe page had been set up to help the Culverwell family.

‘The Culverwells are special people. They are without a doubt the kindest and most genuine family we have ever met,’ a statement on the page read.

‘Derryn will be faced with multiple logistical challenges ahead.

‘Derryn, you are not alone, and an army of people love you and are happy to help your beautiful family.’

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Daily Mail Australia they were ‘providing consular assistance to a New Zealand family following an incident in Panama’.

‘Due to privacy considerations no further information will be provided,’ a spokesperson said.

A GoFundMe page had been set up to help the Culverwell family (pictured)

A GoFundMe page had been set up to help the Culverwell family (pictured) 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk