AIR TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 23492, 5 February 1940, Page 6

AIR TRAGEDY

BOMBER FROM WIGRAM CRASHES IN SEA GREW OF THREE ALL DEAD [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 5. With three men aboard, an Air Force Baffin bomber from Wigram crashed into the sea off the coast between North Beach and Waimairi shortly before noon to-day. An hour later the wrecked machine was still afloat about half a mile offshore, but it was not then known whether any of her crew were alive. Later it was found that all were dead. The men aboard the aeroplane wore Flight-lieutenant A. D. Poulton, Aircraftsman Birbeck, and Aircraftsman Strachan. Swimmers found it impossible to get close to the plane, as tho sea was littered with fragments of the shattered fuselage and wings. Tho tide was making strongly, and this added to the difficulties. When the rescuers eventually reached the plane they could fine no trace of the occupants, and it is assumed that the men were thrown clear and then sank by tho weight of their waterlogged Hying clothes. After several attempts, a light life; saving line brought from 'Wairaairi Beach was made fast to the wreckage, but it was not equal to the task and snapped. At this stage the wreckage was floating about 20Uyds from shore, and the intervening sea was covered with floating debris. Among the articles washed ashore were one of the landing wheels and part of tho undercarriage, the two shattered halves of tho propeller, a large canvas air tank, and what appeared to be portion of the pilot’s log, so saturated with sea water as to be indecipherable. When atetmpts to beach the wreckage by means of the life-saving lino had failed, the Sumner lifeboat was sent for and she sailed from Sumner at 12.40 p.m. The trip would probably take an hour.