Vincent Aircraft Crashes

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 80, 3 April 1941, Page 6

Vincent Aircraft Crashes

Two Men Killed And Two Injured CAUSE NOT YET KNOWN Fer Fresa Association. WELLINGTON, April 2. Tvro were killed and two injured this alter noon when a Vincent aircraft returning from Oniaka to Nelson crashed in the bush at the head of I’elorus ltiver about 3 p.m. An official statement issued in Wellington to-night slates that the cause of the accident is not yet known. Tho men killed are: — Pilot-Officer Vernon Wellington Kaymond; wife, Mrs. Patricia Mary Raymond, Tahuna, Nelson; and Aircraftman (1) James Edward Murphy; wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Winifred Mary Murphy, Nelson.

Seriously injured and admitted to hospital: Corporal Eric Whitely; father, Mr. Ernest Whitely, Auckland. Slightly injured and admitted to hospital; Corporal John George Watt; wife, Mrs. H. E. Watt, Mornington, Dunedin. A Press Association message from Nelson states that the plane was flying in formation with other machines, returning from Omaka to Nelson, when it was seen to break away from the formation and crashed in the bush within a few miles of a sawmill, the workers at which witnessed the crash and were able to give information regarding its location. Other planes reported the accident to squadron headquarters and a ground party was immediately despatched to the scene. According to later details, the machine crashed in the Ohinga Valley, on the Pelorus Biver side of the Manngatapu Saddle. The position of the crash was pin-pointed by other aircraft in the formation, wjiich came on to Nelson. One aircraft immediately returned, dropping a message on the nearest house in order to guide local bushmen to the scene. At the same time a rescue party was despatched by road. The party which was summoned by the dropping of the message met the least injured member of the crew, who •directed them back to the place where The machine had crashed. The two injured men were brought out to Nelson Hospital, and it is hoped to bring out the bodies of those killed to-morrow. A service court of inquiry will be held.