PERILS OF THE AIR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 June 1927, Page 5

PERILS OF THE AIR

AEROPLANE CRASHES

THREE FLYERS KILLED

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Gable Association)

NEW YORK, 51.1 1 June. At Fort Worth, Texas, three flyers were killed when their machine 101 l 500 feet, bursting into flames.

COLLISION AT BOURNEMOUTH

TWO PILOTS KILLED

(Received 7th June, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, 6lb .lune,

Two aeroplanes collided while air racing fit Bournemouth. Both pilots, Longton and Openshaw, well known aviators, were killed.

(Received 7th June, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, 6th June. Squadron Leader Longton and Civilian Pilot Opershaw were flying in the same race, and when taking the turn for the last lap their machines collided in midair. The wings become interlocked and the planes crashed, on fire. Longton ‘was burned to death and Opershaw died from his injuries. The crash occurred two miles from Bournemouth in. view of thousands of holiday makers, and near the spot where Longton was firod on. Other aviators saw the crash, and descended.

Farm workers, despite the huge mass of Haines, quickly removed Opershaw, whose machine was on top, from the burning debris, hut he died cn route to the hospital. Longton’s body was cliarled beyond recognition, and was not recovered till the flames were spent. Longton was one of the ablest pilots in the Air Force, being known as the “king of stunters.” Opershaw married six weeks ago.