AIR TRAGEDY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 22 December 1942, Page 2

AIR TRAGEDY

STORY OF WEST COAST CRASH PLANE AFLOAT FOR 20 MINUTES RESCUE OF PILOT BY COLLIER Further details of the aircraft accident which occurred five miles fiorth of Westport yesterday when four passengers lost their lives, were received from Westport this morning. After losing the starboard propeller, the plane landed in the sea off Westport, some four miles from a Union Steam Ship Company’s collier, the pilot. Flight Lieutenant A. E. Baines being the only one rescued alive. The report states that before alighting. the pilot informed the passengers and opened the door. All except one, Mr Johnstone, was able to take advantage of the pilot’s act of precaution. The plane remained afloat for about 20 minutes with the passengers standing on the wings. It then sank, taking Mr Johnstone with it. and later Mr Mcßride and Mi- Walter also disappeared. The pilot as an extra precaution had in the meantime stripped off his clothes and when the U.S.S. Company’s ship, made aware of the accident, launched a lifeboat, he and Mr Hearty were taken aboard. Mr Hearty was in a very bad way and did not long survive the trying ordeal. Meanwhile. Captain Tointon, harbourmaster, in the harbour board’s launch, and Mr Thompson in his fishing launch had both made a widespread search, but could see nothing of the plane or survivors and returned to port. The collier, however, informed the harbourmaster of the position and he again put out to sea in the harbour board’s launch. TRANSFER TO LAUNCH Some live miles north of Westport he met the rescuing steamer and after great difficulty because of the rolling sea got the pilot and Mr Hearty aboard, the latter on a stretcher. When the launch reached the breakwater the harbourmaster asked to be met by a doctor and an ambulance. However, when Dr. Bruce went on board the launch, Mr Hearty was dead. Flight Lieutenant Baines had numerous lacerations of the ears, which were surgically treated. Captain Mercer, pioneer in the service, arrived at Westport to-day and said. Flight Lieutenant Baines had displayed great courage and had done everything possible to bring the plane down safely on the water when he found that he could not make the beach or a landing ground. He had done all in his power to rescue the passengers.

Flight Lieut. Baines spoke in terms of gratitude of the manner in which the captain of the ship, his officers and crew made the rescue. Flight Lieut. Baines, who was trained in Canterbury, has been flying for eight years. lie was attached to the Air Force and lately lent to Air Travels (N.Z.), Ltd. The passengers who lost their lives were : Mr A. Johnstone, believed to have come from Gisborne. Mr Michael Hearty, Haast, South Westland. Mr A. Walter, Haast. Geoffrey Colin Mcßride, son of Mr and Mrs Mcßride, Ngakawau.

This is the first accident in the history of Air Travels. When the accident occurred visibility was bad. A heavy mist lay over the sea, lifting at times only to descend again.

An inquest into the death of Mr Hearty was opened by Mr Arthur Taylor, coroner, this afternoon, when evidence of identification was given by Captain Mercer.