TWO AIRMEN DEAD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 147, 3 April 1941, Page 3

TWO AIRMEN DEAD

TWO OTHERS IN HOSPITAL.

PLANE CRASHES IN BUSH. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 2. Two airmen were killed and two injured this afternoon when a Vincent aircraft returning from Omaha to Nelson crashed in the bush at the head of the-Pelorus river about 3 p.m. An official statement issued in Wellington to-night states that the cause of the accident is not yet known. Those involved were : Killed. Pilot Officer Vernon Wellington Raymond. His wife is Airs Patricia Alary Raymond, Tahuna, Nelson. Aircraftman James Edward Misrphy. His wife is Airs Elizabeth Winifred Alary Murphy, of Nelson.

Admitted to Hospital. Corporal Eric Whitely, seriously injured. His father is Air Ernest Whitely, Auckland. Corporal John George Watt, slightly injured. His wife is Airs H. E. Watt, Afornington, Dunedin.

A Press Association message from Nelston states that the aeroplane was flying in formation with other machines returning from Omaka to Nelson, when it. was seen to break away from the formation and crashed in the bush in Ohinga Valley qn the Pelorus river side of the Afaungatapu saddle, within a few miles of a sawmill, workers at which saw the crash and were able . to give information of its location.

The position of the crash was pinpointed bv other aircraft in the formation, which went on to Nelson. One aircraft immediately returned dropping a message on the nearest house to guide local buslimen to the scene. At the same time, a rescue party was dispatched by road. The party which had been summoned by the dropping of the message met the least injured nemhr-r of the crew, who directed them hack to the place where the machine crashed.

The two injured men were taken out to the Nelson Hospital. It is hoped to bring out the bodies of those killed to-morrow. A Court of Inquiry will be held.