Derryn Culverwell and her children survived but her husband Alan was shot dead
The wife of a man shot dead at close-range by callous Caribbean pirates, who raided the family yacht on a round-the-world trip, survived the traumatising ordeal despite being brutally attacked with a machete.
New Zealand man Alan Culverwell, 60, was killed by shotgun-wielding robbers while he attempted to defend his wife and two children from the mob who stormed his 65ft yacht near Morodub island in the Guna Yala district in Panama’s northeast at about 2am local time on Thursday.
It’s understood Mr Culverwell was attacked after he was woken up by a noise on the yacht’s roof, but when he went upstairs to check what the noise was he was fatally shot.
Three suspects have since been arrested in connection with the suspected murder of Mr Culverwell, local media outlet TVN Noticias reported.
The former paua diver’s wife Derryn and daughter Briar, 11, were also set upon by the hooded assailants, but the mother and daughter managed to stay alive because Ms Culverwell ‘forced the pirates out’ before locking herself and her children in the below cabin.
‘There were about two hours where Derryn just sheltered with the kids in the boat,’ Derryn Hughes, Mr Culverwell’s sister, told Stuff.co.nz.
Despite suffering with knife wounds, Ms Culverwell summoned enough energy to make a call to a friend in New Zealand who helped the family get back to safety.
New Zealand man Alan Culverwell, 60, was killed by shotgun-wielding robbers while he attempted to defend his wife and two children from the mob who stormed his 65ft yacht
The 65-foot yacht (pictured) was bought in the US as part of the Culverwell family’s round-the-world-trip
The family began their two-year sailing adventure after purchasing the yacht in the United States and had been travelling around the Caribbean
‘As a family, we are so proud of her,’ Ms Hughes said.
Ms Hughes also said she believed both her sister-in-law and niece, who had been taken to hospital in Panama City, had now been released from hospital.
The couple’s son Flynn, 11, was not injured in the attack, it’s understood.
The family began their two-year sailing adventure after purchasing the yacht in the United States and had been travelling around the Caribbean.
Panama was to be their final destination before making their way back to New Zealand.
While the exact motives behind the unprovoked attack are yet to be confirmed, the pirates reportedly stole an outboard engine from the vessel as well as other items.
Three suspects have since been arrested in connection with the incident and the director of the Panama National Border Service, Eric Estrada, confirmed an investigation was ongoing.
Ms Culverwell (pictured left) ‘forced the pirates out’ before locking herself and her children in the cabin
The father-of-two was shot at point blank range before the pirates attacked his wife and daughter
A GoFundMe page had been set up by loved ones to help the Culverwell family (pictured) in the wake of the traumatising incident
He also said psychologists from the Public Ministry and social workers had been in touch with the surviving victims.
The General Congress of Guna Yala also expressed their sadness at Ms Culverwell’s death.
Meanwhile Mr Culverwell’s friends and family have paid tribute to the beloved family man.
He was described as a ‘legend’ and a ‘brilliant teacher’ by his friends.
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.