LOSS OF OXFORD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 48, 6 December 1948, Page 3

LOSS OF OXFORD

Three Bodies Found DEBRIS SCATTERED OVER WIDE AREA ... >- (P.A.) HASTINGS, Dec. 5. The bodies of the' three occupants of the Air Force Oxford, which has been missing in the Ruahine ranges since Tuesday afternoon, were found together with the disintegrated aircraft scattered over about a square mile of rugged country near the headwaters of the Oroua River. Th© men were: Flight Lieutenant C. R. Bush, D.F.C* Navigator 1 H. G. F. Rennie Photographer A.C.I R. G. Roper. The evidence suggests that the men were killed instantly, although they Avere not badly mutilated. Two open parachutes were found, one near the main wreckage and the other some distance aAyay. Both were without harness attached and the fact that they Avere open is not explained. The body of the pilot was found in the wreckage of the cockpit by the search parties. The advance base was Howlett’s hut, and it Avas near the hut that the discovery of small pieces of wreckage gave the first indications that their efforts Avere about to be rewarded. , Other wreckage was found over an area of about a square mile and, finally, a large piece of wreckage, that of the fuselage, was found at the foot of the ravine from which the Oroua River has it© origin. The country there is extremely precipitous and is covered in scrub. When the plane ©truck the scrub closed over the Avreckage and it is doubtful if it would have been located by aerial observation. In fact, the land parties had good fortune with, them to enable success to meet their efforts.

The searchers who made the discovery. yesterday morning were a police party of 15 men and they immediately took steps to have recalled the other parties comprising mainly trampei's who were scattered over a wide area Avhere it was believed the plane had crashed. There was a high wind blowing in the ranges yesterday and again to-day, but there has been no further snow following that of Friday night. The bodies are to be brought out tomorrow and this is expected to present an even more difficult task than that which confronted the relief parties engaged on the Ruapehu disaster. The same police party that made the discovery will be engaged on this task. The services of packhorses are to be obtained, hut to enable them to be brought in it will be necessary to widen the track to Howlett’s hut, which is narrow and precipitous," and is used only by trampers. Horses will not be able to go the Avhole distance, and it will be necessary for the bodies to he carried out by the policy party. Air Force technical experts will also go to the scene of the disaster to examine the Avreckage. Arduous Task Ahead According to a message from Wellington it lias been suggested by experienced mountaineers that it will be an extremely hazardous business inA r olving camping out for two or three nights in the ranges to recover the bodies. The gully leading to the creek - will require four bushmen to hack a path down to where the aircraft crashed. This will involve a whole day’s work. A.C.I. Roper was identified by a letter in a pocket. It appears that,.tlie aircraft fell apart in the air. • , “My party are very tired,” says a message from the ground party, “and I suggest that we all pull out in the morning when we could discuss the desirability of recovering the bodies with those in authority. The leader of the party, Mr Lowe, is prepared Jo return after a day’s rest, also a deer culler, Mr Foreward. An army relief is also required for the Avireless. coming out to-morrow. Cancel all parties till further notice.” The parachute which was found open by the wreck is of no significance. Evidently it got throAvn out and opened’ up, according to a search and rescue organisation statement, to-day. Arrangements have been made with the police at Wellington for the police to assume responsibility for the organisation and recovery of the_ bodies. The superintendent'of police at Palmerston North will arrange with the officer commanding at Ohakea for the necessary co-operation. A party led by Squadron Leader Fennessy and two others left this morning for White’s farm to travel Avith the police parties. No. 2 ground party is still at Thomsen’s Hill and it was unlikely that they would climb to Howlett’s hut to-day. The last message received from the party states that they Avere staying at the base and moving on at 2 a.m. to-morrow, all being Avell. It was raining continuously and Park’s Peak was totally obscured. ‘ A later message states that two parties will be dispatched in the morning to begin the difficult task of the recovery of the bodies, stated the Search ’ and Rescue Organisation Branch of the Air Department tonight. The first party consisting of three men and packhorses will leave with supplies at 2 a.m. The second party consisting of police, experienced tramping club members and Air, Force personnel will leave the base camp on the first stage of the difficult journey at o a.m. Because of the extremely rugged and inaccessible nature of* the country it is feared that possibly a Aveek may elapse before the operation is completed.