Accidental Flare Led To Search

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31168, 19 September 1966, Page 18

Accidental Flare Led To Search

(New Zealand Press Association*

WELLINGTON, September 18. A signal flare accidentally set off on Mount Victoria caused a full-scale air and sea alert in the Wellington district tonight

The flare was set off by a Mount Victoria fireman about 6.15 p.m. and was sighted by two nearby residents, who called the police. They thought the flare had been fired somewhere within Port Nicholson harbour.

The police immediately put

out an “all ships” alert and notified all aircraft entering and leaving Wellington to keep watch. The police launch, Lady Elizabeth, and a fishing launch from Island Bay were sent to patrol the harbour. A public appeal was made on radio and television for further information on the flares. Police switchboards were soon jammed with more than 50 callers who had seen the flare.

It was pin-pointed over Mount Victoria shortly before the Mount Victoria Fire Station reported that an officer had set off the flare accidentally.

The police are inquiring into the incident. They said they viewed the matter very seriously as it could have involved a fullscale sea and land search in daylight if the source of the signal had not been found tonight. They said action on the matter might be taken by the Marine Department.