英国维珍集团老板布兰森位在加勒比海小岛的度假屋惨遭雷击,付之一炬。应邀作客的奥斯卡影后凯特温丝蕾奋勇救出布兰森的九十岁老母,泰晤士报将她一九九七年主演的「铁达尼号」(Titanic)入题,以titanic act(伟大的举动)形容凯特的义举。
位在加勒比海的内克(Necker)岛是英属维京群岛的一座小岛,占地九万坪,六十一岁的布兰森是所有权人。他在岛上兴建的度假屋(Great House)在廿二日清晨疑似遭飓风夹带的雷电击中,顿时陷入火海。带了十岁女儿米亚与七岁儿子乔伊去度假的凯特温丝蕾惊醒后,赶紧叫醒布兰森的母亲,扶老携幼逃出火场。
雷击时住在度假屋附近的布兰森,受访时仍心有余悸:「我要万分感谢凯特,是她护着我的母亲离开度假屋。我母亲自己能走,但当时能愈快离开愈好,所以凯特很了不起。她告诉我当时情况就象是在拍电影,在等导演喊卡,但是一直等不到雷停,彷佛经历了一场梦。」
布兰森表示:「我的办公室位于度假屋内,数千张照片和笔记本都付之一炬,令人悲伤,但最要紧的是亲朋好友都安然无恙。」
二○○八年以「为爱朗读」在奥斯卡封后的凯特,仍留在岛上协助善后,发言人表示凯特毫发无伤,但不愿受访。随行的还有男友路易斯‧杜勒。
雷击当时,布兰森与妻子乔安和儿子山姆住在离度假屋一百公尺外的房舍。布兰森在一九七九年时为取悦乔安,以十八万英镑买下内克岛。之后兴建度假屋,十四间客房采里岛风格,整座岛的现值约合台币四十三亿元。想当岛主,一晚的代价约台币一六三万元。
Paradise lost: Sir Rirchard has promised that despite losing the Grand House to a fire on his privately-owned Necker Island, his daughter Holly will still get married there
Dream wedding: Sir Richard is forging ahead with plans to give his daughter's hand in marriage to shipbroker Freddie Andrews on Necker Island
Heroine: Sir Richard praised actress Kate Winslet (L) for rescuing his 90-year-old mother Eve (R) from the burning building
Devastating: The billionaire has vowed he will rebuild the home on his beloved Necker Island after it caught fire following a lightning strike
Luxury retreat: Sir Richard was staying at the island with his wife Joan, children Holly and Sam and around 20 other guests
Caribbean getaway: Sir Richard's Necker Island is worth £60million
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