INJURED IN CRASH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 108, 9 May 1941, Page 6

INJURED IN CRASH

N.Z. AIRCRAFTSMAN

CANADIAN -PILOT'S DEATH

(0.C.) * MONTREAL, April 9. Leading-Aircraftsman R. L. W. Orchard, 21, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, was badly bruised and cut on the upper part of his body when the aircraft in which he was flying crashed near Caughnawaga, Indian reservation, 20 miles from Montreal, killing the pilot, Flight-Sergeant John Harris, 28, of Sarr.ia, Ontario. The accident was the first to a Royal Canadian Air Force plane in the Montreal district. The cause of the crash has not been announced by the Air Force authorities. Witnesses were of the opinion, however, that the plane had motor trouble, as the engine was heard to falter twice before the ship crashed into the bush bordering the Malone - Montreal highway. Among the witnesses was a truckload of soldiers in a Royal Canadian Army Service Corps vehicle, wljo rushed to the scene and removed the two airmen from the wrecked plane. Able to walk after the accident. Leading - Aircraftsman Orchard was put in a private car and removed to the Sacred Heart Hospital at Caugnawaga. Flight-Sergeant Harris was too seriously injured - to be moved in this manner, and after he had been given first aid by Dr. I. K. Williams and Dr. Z. E. Marchand. both of Chateauguay. ho was placed in a comfortable position to await an ambulance from Notre Dame Hospital. The injured pilot arrived at the hospital at 6.45 o'clock but died shortly after seven o'clock from a fractured skull and other injuries. Witnesses- stated that the plane had been flying in the district for some time. It came sliding slowly towards the earth with the engine stopped. .The motor came to life twice with a roar, they said, but stopped a few minutes later and the plane disappeared behind some trees, where it crashed. Flight-Sergeant Harris had been detailed to fly an aircraft for a twohour wireless exercise, taking with him Leading-Aircraftsman R. L. W. Orchard, of New Zealand.