TRAGIC CRASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 282, 29 November 1938, Page 9

TRAGIC CRASH.

MISSING WOMAN.

Four Deaths In 'Plane Crash

Near Brisbane.

FLYERS AMD POLICEMAN

United PrcH Association.—Copyright.

BRISBANE, November 28,

Three members of the Royal Australian Air Force and a policeman were burned to death when an Air Force Seagull amphibian aeroplane struck a high tension power ruble, crashed and caught fire near lircnlcigh, 24 miles south of Brisbane, at about midday to-day.

The victims were:—Flying-Officers ]Max Wyber and R. Milner, Mechanic ¥.. Everett, nnd Constable A. Young, of tho water police, Brisbane.

The accident happened while the aeroplane was flying low over mangrove luinkfl in the Logan River, at Albcrton, ■earchlng for a missing young society woman, Mies Marjorie Norval, aged 30, who had been personal secretary to the wife of the Queensland Premier, Mr. I'organ Smith, and mysteriously disappeared on November 11.

The aeroplane had searched small Islands at the southern end of Moreton iJay, and was travelling slowly up the Logan River, when, suddenly, it struck a. high tension wire, which ripped a float «ifT and threw the machine on to the river bank, where it was immediately enveloped in flames.

A local ferryman, who was the sole eye-witness, was unable to approach. Hβ fulled help by telephone, and the bodies were extricated from the tlnrkened maee of wreckage.

Flying-Officer Wyber lived at Newrustic, Flying-Officer Milner and Mechanic Everett in Sydney. Constable Young, who vat aged 43 and wae married, Hred in Brisbane.

A fourth member of the aeroplane's rrew. Aircraftsman Grainger, was left fcehind in Brisbane In order to make foom for the constable.