VAMPIRE JET CRASHES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28552, 3 April 1958, Page 12

VAMPIRE JET CRASHES

Pilot Bails Out

Safely

(New Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI, April’ 2.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot bailed out of bis spinning Vampire jet plane in the Upper Turakina valley about 2 p.m. today. The pilot, PilotOfficer John Gabriel, of Auckland, landed in rugged country, but escaped injury. Residents in the area saw the plane spin, and the pilot bail out. Pilot Officer Gabriel landed jin rough, hilly country on the property of Messrs Fernie Brothers, at Pohonui, about 12 miles west of Mangaweka, and south west of Taihape. A topdressing pilot working in the area, Mr Rex Garnham, saw the accident, and flew to the scene. He saw pilot officer Gabriel walking towards the road, about two miles to the east. Landing his Cessna on a nearby topdressing airstrip. Mr Garnham picked up Pilot Officer Gabriel and flew him to Ohakea.

The Vampire burned fiercely when it crashed.

Pedestrian Killed

(New Zealana Press Association/ AUCKLAND, April 2. A man was killed instantly when he was struck by a car in Sandringham road, Auckland, tonight, He was: John Shaw, aged about 50, married, of 58 King Edward street. Mount Albert.

Power Cycle And Car Collide

In a collision betwen her power cycle and a car on the comer of Armagh street and Fitzgerald avenue at 5.20 p.m. yesterday, Miss Beatrice Gertrude Bond, of 91 Bassett street, Burwood, suffered a fractured leg. She was taken by St. John ambulance to the Christchurch Public Hospital, where she was admitted. Her condition was reported to be satisfactory last evening.

Power Cyclist Hurt

A power cyclist, Harold Cecil Warrington, of 172 Lyttelton street, was taken to the Christchurch Hospital after he had been involved in a collision with a van about 7.30 a.m. yesterday at the intersection of Simeon street and j Coronation street. Mr Warringjton’s condition was reported last evening to be satisfactory.