FATAL CRASH

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 147, 19 March 1934, Page 10

FATAL CRASH

Auckland Aerdplane Strikes Hillside WAY LOST IN CLOUDS Pilot Succumbs to Grave Injuries COMPANION’S HEROISM Tragedy followed an attempt to fly from Kongotaj to Nelson on Saturday morning, when a Moth aeroplane belonging to the Auckland Aero Club, ZK-AAL, crashed into a hill at the source of the Ked Kocks Stream. The pilot, Mr. E. K. Boucher, chairman of the Auckland Aero Club executive, lay under the wreckage of the aeroplane tor 1hours before the search parties located it, and succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital. His passenger, Mr. L. W. Swan, a ' though injured walk to a habitation, and he reached the Ked Kocks, four hours after leay ing the wreck. After telling his story he collapsed, and was taken to hospital but the finding of his companion was the outcome of his hemic effort. Mr. Boucher had his spine fractured, his right shoulder dislocated, and also received wounds to his face. Air. Swan deceived injuries to ins neck and face wounds. The point where the aeroplane clashed is between Sinclair 1 Head and the Karori Stream, but about four miles inland by foot, and half that distance as the crow flies. It is in rugged country, consisting of ranges of steepsloped hills. , ~ , The men arrived from Auckland on Friday, and left again at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday for Nelson, intending to go to the pageant being held at Hokitika in the afternoon. There was a thickfog over Cook Strait and the surrounding hills at the time, and nothing more was heard of the machine until Mr. Swan’s report of the crash was transmitted to the Free Ambulance. The machine’s failure to arrive at its destination within a reasonable time of its departure led to arrangements being made for an aerial search from Rongotai, Blenheim and Christchurch. Messages were also broadcast asking people in the vicinity of the coast or the Marlborough Sounds to report if they had seen anything of the missing aeroplane, which was painted red, with silver wings. . Fears were entertained that the machine hndmome down in Cook Strait. Exhaustive inquiries by telephone from settlers in the Sounds area failed to reveal anyone who had sighted the missing aeroplane, and an aerial search followed. Most of the Wellington Aero Club machines were in the South Island. Mr. I. E. Rawnsley carried out a search between Terawhiti and Wellington Heads, hear Tory Channel, and found visibility “shocking.” An old resident Of Happy Valley said that the fog did not lift itself from the hilltops throughout the day, a most unusual feature. Heroism by Mr. Swan. The machine crashed about 9 o'clock, and Mr: Swan remained with his unconscious companion until midday, when he decided to go for, assistance. He Intended to follow the stream down to the sea, and-then proceed along the coast. About 4 o’clock he rounded the Red Rocks and met' Miss Butler, a city resident who was week-ending there. He was taken to a nearby bach, where he stated that the aeroplane’had crashed at the top of the stream beyond the Red Rocks, a distance of about four miles, and that Mr. Boucher was unconscious. Mr. Swan then collapsed. The full measure; of Mr. Swan’s heroism can only be appreciated when it is realised that, although injured himself, he set out through rugged and difficult country, that was unknown io him, and that, although in pain, he carried on with a. grim resolution that might have saved his companion’s life.

Search Parties Leave. A search party set out when the message had been relayed to the aerodrome, but found the task of locating the machine more difficult than had been j anticipated. A bearer from the Free 1 Ambulance accompanied them, and they did not return to the station until nearly 5 a.m. yesterday, after an absence of 12 hours. After darkness had fallen, a second search party left, carrying lights, and the machine was found late in the evening. The point where the crash occurred was a small hill in the viciilfy of Hawkins' Hill, 1477, feet. The smaller hill is about 200 feet above the bed of the stream. ' , Mr. Boucher was taken to Fitchett’s farm, on the Brooklyn Road, but the waiting doctors could only pronounce life extinct, Mr. Boucher having died on the way down. .Streams of people went to view the scene of the crash yesterday, although many were unable to locate it. Some had their midday meal near the remains of the machine. Vandals were active, and much was removed for firewood and souvenirs. ■ An aeroplane visited the locality 1 from time to time during the morning and afternoon. The wrecked machine was a De Ha Vila nd Moth, powered by an 85 h.p. Gypsy engine, and had belonged to the Auck- . land Aero Club since its importation into the Dominion about 1930. The compass had been swung at Hobeonville Air Base during the’ week, and ,a cockpit heater had been devised and ' installed. This device was constructed in such a manner as to cause a stream of air, heated by contact with the ex- ' haust-pipe, to flow into either or both cockpits, and could be controlled so as to send warm air round the feet of the pilot and passenger as required. Messrs. Boucher and Swtln had Intended visiting the forthcoming pageant at Hastings on their way back to Auckland. PARTY FROM AUCKLAND All-night Journey in Motor-car Upon the receipt in Auckland of news of a serious accident to the aero plane and its occupants a party com prised of Mesdames Boucher and Swan and Mr. Spencer R. Mason (vice-presi dent), and Squadron-Leader J. Sea brook (captain), of the Auckland Aera Club, set out by car for Wellington. After a 15 hours’ drive they arrived about 1 p.m. yesterday. Mrs. Bouchei returned by the Limited last night. Mr. Mason was warm in his expres slons of praise at the exertions of the Wellington Aero Club in the search foi the missing airmen and in its work in attempting to rescue'Mr. Boucher when his predicament was known.