A CRASHED PLANE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 7

A CRASHED PLANE

RELEASING TRAPPED MAN

With the help only of a penknife. Mr. William Watt, of Banchory, worked for four hours on the misty mountain-side at Clochnaben. Kincardineshire, to release Acting Pilot Officer J. D. Lanahan, of West Wickham. Kent, trapped head downwards in the wreckage of his plane, says the "Daily Telegraph and Morning Post."

The plane, which set out from the R.A.F. aerodrome at Montrose, crashed. Mr. Watt, one of a party of roadmen who went to the rescue, had himself been reported missing when he became separated from his companions.

Acting Pilot Officer Lanahan's companion, Acting Flying Officer R, E Atkinson, of Long Buckley, near Rugby, gave first news of the accident when, half fainting and with a broken wrist, he staggered to the dooi of a lonely farm He had tried for several hours to release hh. brother officer before he went for help.

Mr Watt discovered the plane about 4 p.m. The pilot was conscious and pinned upside down with his neck jammed against the panel board. Unable to get in touch with fellowsearchers, Mr, Watt hacked through the fusilage of the plane with his penknife. After he had extricated the officer weather conditions made it impossible to leav him.

Using parts of the smashed wings to form a shelter with thp fuselage. Mr. Watt and the injured man spent the night on the hillside. They kept awake by talking, and Mr. Watt wrapped the airman in his parachute. For some time the pilot could not see as his eyes were badly swollen.

When morning came the mist showed no sign of lifting, and it was not until 10 a.m. next day that Mr. Watt was able to walk to a gamekeeper's cottage four miles away and summon help.

A stretcher party eventually reached the pilot soon after midday and he was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.