AIRCRAFT CRASHES ON MOUNT EGMONT

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24355, 6 September 1944, Page 4

AIRCRAFT CRASHES ON MOUNT EGMONT

* TWO KILLED AND TWO INJURED

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 5. When an aircralt of the Royal New Zealand Air Force crashed on the slopes of Mount Egmont yesterday afternoon two members of the crew lost their lives and two were injured. Killed.—Flight Sergeant John Paterson Cummins (mother. Mrs S. H. Cunimins, Wellington): Sergeant Maurice Roy Haycock (wife, Mrs G. M. Haycock, Nelson). „ , . , Injured.—Sergeant Bruce Frederick Aslin Hough (mother, Mrs D. Rough, Wellington); Flight Sergeant Alexander Frederick Peterson (wife, Mrs A F. Peterson, New Plymouth). Both Rough and Peterson were admitted to the New Plymouth Hospital. Rough suffering from injuries to limbs and shock. , , _ , When the aircraft crashed Peterson was able to extricate himself, and with considerable difficulty reached Opunake and summoned assistance. He showed commendable courage and fortitude in tramping through seven miles of dense bush, in spite of his injuries, to obtain help. Although search parties were organised the approach of night hindered their efforts, and the aircraft and its occupants were not located. The search was continued throughout the night, however, and at dawn to-day an aircraft searching the area was able to confirm that ground parties had reached the wrecked aircraft.