PILOT KILLED

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23053, 22 June 1940, Page 17

PILOT KILLED

AIR CRASH AT TAIERI MISHAP TO BOMBER WHEN LEAVING AERODROME (press association telegram.) DUNEDIN, June 21. An Airspeed Oxford bomber, visiting here from Christchurch, under the command of Squadron Leader Kitson, when taking off, crashed at the Taieri aerodrome at 7.25 this morning, immediately bursting into flames. Squadron Leader Kitson died shortly afterwards. The casualties were:— Dead Squadron Leader John Hugh Kitson, aged 28, the pilot. Injured Pilot Officer Peter Robert McNab, aged 24, navigator, of Auckland, slightly injured. Aircraftsman (I) Ronald Edward Kilpatrick, aged 19, of Oamaru, seriously hurt. Squadron ' Leader Kitson was promoted only yesterday from the rank Of Flight Lieutenant. He was born at Hill vicarage, Fairfield, Gloucestershire. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1934, and arrived in New; Zealand on loan to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in March. of this year. He was a married man, his wife’and two children living in England. Squadron Leader Kitson had done a good deal of flying. He spent more than two years in India, where he piloted the Viceroy from time to time. During his stay in New Zealand, Squadron Leader Kitson was stationed at Wigram as an instructor,, going to Dunedin a few days ago on Royal Air Force business. Pilot Officer McNab, whose home is in Remuera, Auckland, is a married man. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in June, 1939. He is suffering from Slight bruises and shock. Aircraftsman Kilpatrick, whose home is in Oamaru, joined the Air Force in February, 1939. He suffered severe burns to the hands and face. An inquest into the death of Squadron Leader Kitson was opened to-day. A Court of Inquiry will be held tomorrow. Since coming to Wigram Squadron Leader Kitson made many friends through his association with the Oxford' Group Movement in its world-wide campaign for moral rearmament, according to the Rev. F. Cook, vicar of St. Peter’s Church, Upper Riccarton. He had an infectious faith, and was a strength and inspiration to those he worked with, said Mr Cook. He had been attending St. Peter’s Church since he came to Wigram, and read the leasons on Sunday evenings.