Longreach Disaster

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 272, 20 November 1934, Page 4

Longreach Disaster

PROBABLE EXPLANATION United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. BRISBANE, Nov. .16. Captain L. Brain, of Qantas Airways, made an examination of tho wrecked biplane at LongrCach. He is of opinion that the first officer (Mr. Crcastes), who was found at the controls, tried to establish, .wirolesg communication, and in doing so the machine swung, and, in tho endeavour- to correct ■ the swing, it developed into a spiral, and the machine crashed. The funerals of the three British victims were held today. Mrs. Broadt'oot, widow of Mr. Broadfoot, the passenger who was killed in the aeroplane, awaited the arrival of her husband at Brisbane till she learned his fate yesterday, when she was prostrated with grief. She returned to Sydney today in a. New England Air ways mail aeroplane.

A Notable Career

GAPE TOWN, Nov. 16.

Captain Prendergast, who was killed in the Longrcach disaster, had distinguished naval service during the .war. He joined the Air Eorce in 1923' aud Tvas drafted to India, la tho Afghanistan disturbances following tho dethronement of King Amanullah he was tho first airman to rescue civilians forced to evacuate Kabul. Ho made a number of flights to tho Afghan capital and carried away refugees. He was complimented by the Viceroy and Ministry.