BRAVE EFFORT TO SAVE

Evening Star, Issue 21960, 21 February 1935, Page 16

BRAVE EFFORT TO SAVE

PLANE’S FALL INTO WATER CORONER WARMLY FRAILS SURVIVOR [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 20. Warm praise for the efforts made by Cecil Haigh to rescue bis companion, Richard Noel Roake, when the aeroplane in which they were Hying from Blenheim to Christchurch fell into Urn sea at Waipara on January 19, was expressed by the coroner (Mr .11. I*. Lawry) at the conclusion to-day of the inquest into the death of Roake. A verdict of accidental deatli by drowning was returned, the coroner remarking that there appeared to bo no cause for comment on Roakc’s piloting of the machine, that it was apparent every reasonable safety precaution bad boeii taken, and that the Hying regulations had been complied with. “ I should not let this opportunity pass without emphasising the praise that is due to Haigh for the sustained ami gallant efforts ho made in bis endeavour to get his companion ashore and the prolonged search for help he subsequently made,” said Mr Lawry, after announcing bis verdict. ‘‘The evidence shows that Haigh was continuously occupied in this task for twelve hours, with very little rest, and one cannot speak too highly of the efforts which ho made in very trying circumstances," The only evidence of how the accident occurred was that of Cecil Herbert Haigh, manager of the Majestic Theatre, Christchurch, who was in the aeroplane as a passenger with Roake. On January 19, said witness, he accompanied Roake in an Aero Chib machine to Blenheim. The trip north was made without incident. They left Blenheim on the return at 12.40 p.m., having received a report from Christchurch that the weather was favourable. Near Motunau Island the visibility, was obscured by mist. Roake was following the coast-line, and in order to see the breaking surf had to come down to 400 or 500 feet. They both knew there was q, headland in front and were looking out for it. Witness did not see it, but apparently Roake did, for he suddenly l,cned the machine sharply to the left. The machine was so close to the headland that Roake had to execute a stall turn with the wings at right angles to the ground. The turn was completed, and the pilot zoomed down with an open throttle. At the pnoinent witness expected the machine to lift again, they were in the sea, the machine floating upside down. Witness unfastened his safety belt. Roake was hanging from his belt trying to unfasten it, and he lost consciousness before witness succeeded in releasing him. Witness got him to the surface, where he revived after thirty seconds. They held on to the machine, and both took off their overcoats. Tho machine was sinking fast. Witness swam off and recovered the landing wheels, which were floating thirty feet away. Roake and he, holding tho wheels, struck out for the shore, but made little progress. Roake said he would have a rest and then swim for it. After a rest of three minutes. Roake set out fov a rock fifty yards off shore. l He reached it *nd was resting in the water with Ins hand on the rock when a big wave flooded the rock. Roake disappeared, and witness saw him 15yds on the seaward side of the-rock, apparently in a bad way. Witness went to his assistance and brought him to the surface and eventually ashore. Witness tried to revive him, but failed, and then went for assistance. It was witness’s opinion that Roake was dead when lie was brought ashore.