TRAGIC LITTLE PARTY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 March 1937, Page 5

TRAGIC LITTLE PARTY.

FUNERAL OF AIRLINER VICTIMS. (By Telegraph.-Fre.ss Assn.-Copyright) Received Wednesday, ,10.15 p.m. BRISBANE, March B. A tragic little party of mourners left Beau Desert early to-day to attend the burial of four victims at the mountain spot where the airliner crashed. They hope to reach the scene this afternoon. The body of Mr J. G. Westray, the fifth victim, will be brought down and taken to Brisbane and cremated in accordance with the wishes of his London relatives who have arranged a longdistance radio talk for to-morrow with Mr Binstead regarding the manner in which Mr Westray lost his life. A surgical operation on Mr Proud was performed overnight and the broken limb reset. Both survivors are doing well.

Airlines of Australia, owners of the wrecked Stinson, announce their intention of giving Mr Bernard O'Reilly a reward of £2OO. The Commowealth Government also contemplates a substantial gift in recognition of his initiative and splendid services.

SERVICE HELD IN TORRENTIAL RAIN.

(Received This Day, 10.15 a,pi.) BRISBANE, This Day,

In torrential rain, which made it difficult for twenty-four persons present to keep their feet oh the steep mountain slope, the remains of the two pilots and two passengers killed in the Stinson crash were buried near the wrecked 'plane. The service embraced the fifth victim, Westray, whose body still lay in the gorge below. A sister Stinson 'plane circled overhead and dropped wreaths through the clouds and rain.

A police party went to the spot where Westray was hilled and upon their return expressed the opinion that it would be too dangerous to attempt to carry the body down and that it would probably have to be buried where it was.