LOST AIR LINER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 69, 3 January 1936, Page 5

LOST AIR LINER

PILOT’S ADVENTURE. IN WATER FOR FIVE HOURS. RESCUE IN EXHAUSTED STATE. THREE! OTHERS! START TO SWIM. SEPARATED IN DARKNESS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) ALEXANDRIA, January 2. Captain Wilson, pilot and sole survivor of the Imperial Airways air liner City of Khartoum, which crashed into the sea near Alexandria, told a thrilling story of his five hours’ swim before he was rescued. Amor (the first engineer) and two passengers, whose identity he did not know, got clear of the ’plane and struck out for the shore when it appeared hopeless that the others had! survived. The quartet remained together for some time and then separated in the darkness. Captain Wilson did not see the others again. Captain Wilson swam round until he reached a buoy, on which he was unable to keep a grip. After that he reached the harbour wall and attempted to climb it, hut failed, as the barnacles lacerated his hands, and he'feared that if he persevered he would be dashed unconscious. When Captain Wilson felt he would be unable to hold out any longer he saw the lights of H.M.S. Brilliant, which heard his cries for help. RESCUE OF THE, PILOT. NO SIMILAR CASE ON RECORD. (Received This Day, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, January 2. The “Express” points out that Captain Wilson’s report should shed considerable light on air disasters. There is no similar case of a pilot surviving the total destruction of a ’plane, passengers and crew. VERY POWERFUL SWIMMER. (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) BRISBANE, Tliis Day. Queensland aviators acquainted with Captain Wilson, pilot of the City of Khartoum, describe him as a very powerful swimmer. THEORY AS TO CAUSE. LONG TIME ON THE VOYAGE. PETROL MAY HAVE GIVEN OUT. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) ALEXANDRIA, January 2. Aeronautical experts are wondering why the City of Khartoum was 320 minutes in the air when the journey from Mirabella normally takes 240 minutes. It is not known how much fuel, she carried when she left Mirabella and the exceptionally long journey may have exhausted the petrol, explaining the simultaneous failure of all three engines. ALL ENGINES RECOVERED. HIGH SEAS STOP SALVAGE. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) ALEXANDRIA, January 2. All the engines of the City of Khartoum have been recovered, but salvaging has been suspended owing, to the high seas. - .