Crash at Wigram

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 148, 8 June 1936, Page 8

Crash at Wigram

FOG HIDES DROME Plane Carrying Injured Deer-Stalker MACHINE A TOTAL LOSS By Telegraph—Pre Association CHRISTCHURCH, June 7. An aeroplane which went to Porter’s Pass to-day to pick up an injured man and bring him to hospital crashed in a clover field off middle Lincoln road to-day. Leslie B. Pierr, of 153 Strickland street, a member of a deer-stalking party at Porter’s Pass, was accidentally shot in the stomach to-day, and his friends telephoned for an aeroplane. Mr S. A. Gibbons, pilot-instructor to the Canterbury Aero Club, left in a Fox Moth about noon with Mr R. 8. Taylor, builder, of 63 Wairarapa road, as a passenger. Another aeroplane went with him. Mr Gibbons landed safely at Porter’s Pass and took Mr Pierr on board on a stretcher. The accompanying aeroplane returned and landed safely at Wigram Aerodrome at about 3.30 o’clock, but soon afterwards the weather, already very thick and foggy became much worse at the aerodrome. Mr Gibbons’s aeroplane could be heard overhead more than once. The pilot was obviously searching for the landing-field but could not find it, and those on land were unable to signal him. He came lower in search of the open field, bnt so thick were fog and mist that he could not see the ground until inly a few feet from it. He struck heavily on one wing, just missing two havstacks.

Mr Gibbons was unhurt. Mr Taylor received head and face injuries, but after treatment at hospital was sent home in an ambulance.' Mr Pierr al»eady in a grave condition, was shocked in the accident, but seemed not to have suffered any other hurt. His condition is very serious. The aeroplane is badly smashed and is probably a total loss. It had been the possession of the Aero Club for about two years and was recently overhauled It was valued at £I4DO.