WOUNDED PASSENGER DEAD

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21804, 9 June 1936, Page 12

WOUNDED PASSENGER DEAD

AEROPLANE AT WIGRAM

PILOT’S STATEMENT

Mr Leslie B. Pierr. who was accidentally shot in the stomach while deer-stalking in the Springfield region, and was a passenger in the Canterbury Aero Club's Fox Moth, which crashed on Sunday, died at the Public Hospital yesterday, at 2.45 p.m. Mr Pierr was a married man, aged 30 years, and a teacher at the Phillipstown School. He lived at 130 Strickland street An inquest will be held to-day. The damaged aeroplane was taken to the Wigram aerodrome yesterday morning, the pilot, Mr S. A. Gibbons, being present. The damage to the aeroplane is extensive, though it is considered possible that it may be repaired. No decision can, however, be made at present, and the Aero Club does not vet Know whether the machine will be reconditioned and put into service again or whether it will be dismantled and the engine' used as a spare. The damage is particularly unfortunate, as the club had recently to overhaul the machine extensively at a cost of £SOO, including loss of income and other incidental expenses. Though insured against fire and against third party risk the machine carries no insurance against the damage suffered in the crash, which is a total loss to the Aero Club. It is considered that the aeroplane was worth £IOOO. Deceptive Break in Fog The pilot, Mr Gibbons, said yesterday. in confirmation of a statement made by Mr P. R. Climie, secretary of the Aero Club, that he would not have undertaken the trip under Sunday’s conditions if it had not been to attempt to save an injured man. Furthermore. he would have gone back instead of attempting to land in the fog if this had not meant a delay in getting the man to the hospital. He would have had to go back about 40 miles to get out of the fo« He did not attempt to land till he found a break in the fog over the Cashmere Valley, but this proved to be deceptive, in that it was merely a tunnel which brought him up against the fog again.

Though the club has now no cabin aeroplane it will endeavour to carry on its usual commercial services with its open machines.