CRASH IN STREET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 34, 19 November 1943, Page 3

CRASH IN STREET.

PLANE IN AUSTRALIAN TOWN. CIVILIANS’ ACTION PRAISED. SYDNEY. Civilians, who rescued R.A.A.F. officers from a burning plane which had crashed in a street at Broadmeadow, near Newcastle, were commended by the Newcastle coroner, Mr A. Chiplin, at an inquest on Flight-Sergeant William Milton Trengrove, navigator, who was fatally injured in the ci’ash. Mr Chiplin said he hoped that official recognition would be accorded Aubrey Lock and George Christensen, of Broadmeadow, who had done splendid work in assisting the airmen.

Lock said lie was playing tennis near the aerodrome at Broadmeadow when he saw a large plane pass overhead. The trails of what appeared to be white smoke were streaming from the machine. “The plane made a right-hand turn, apparently intending to land on the drome,” Lock said. “I lost sight of it for a few seconds behind some trees, and then I saw it hit the trees and burst into flames. As it came down it struck the side of a deep storm-Avater channel and skidded on to the roadway, coming to rest on the tramline in Lambton Road, Broadmeadow. “I ran to the Avreckage, which Avas burning fiercely, and saAV tAVO members of the creAV in the plane. They appeared dazed. One Avas bleeding from a wound in the head. I assisted one of the crew out of the plane and handed him 0A r er to some spectators. Then 1 helped to get the other man from the plane. While I Avas assisting them there was an explosion. We took the men to the side of the road, where one of them fainted. I said to the other man, ‘Hoav many cobbers have you got?’ and he said ‘Three.’ Thinking there Avas another man in the plane I ran back to the Avreckage and tried to break open the tail section, but Avas not successful. Someone then told me there Avere tAvo other members of the creAV near the storm-Avater channel. These men had been tliroAvn clear after the plane struck the trees.”