AIRMEN'S MISADVENTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21116, 25 February 1932, Page 11

AIRMEN'S MISADVENTURE.

NIGHT ON A MOUNTAIN. AGONY OF COLD ENDURED. MACHINE BURIED IN SNOW. BOTH MEN IN HOSPITAL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Cdfrirright. (Received February 24, 5.5 p.m.) ROME. Feb. 23. Flight-Lieutenant L. Hamilton and Flying Officer R. K. Couplandj who crashed in the Apulia district, Southern Italy, „on an attempted flight to Australia, related their experiences to an interviewer to-day in the hospital at Ruvo. The airmen said that they were flying in a blinding snowstorm on Friday evening when the machine struck the side of a mountain. The landing wheels were broken but snow three feet deep broke the force of the impact and saved their lives. The two fliers sat on what remained of tho cabin an.H awaited the dawn. They endured agony owing to the terrible cold. Next morning they shouted incessantly for help for an hour, but without avail. Then the airmen found an empty cottage to which they struggled through the snow. Finally peasants went to their assistance and took them to a farm where first-aid was rendered. Hamilton was bleeding from the mouth arid nose and Coupland was badly bruised. The aeroplane now lies buried in snow. An attempt was made by a number of Italian soldiers to dismantle it, but the snow was so thick that they found it impossible. Another attempt will be mad 9 to-morrow. Crash in a Snowstorm. A despatch from Ruvo states that as a precautionary measure the two men have been placed in separate rooms at the hospital.' Both are suffering from shock and the effects of exposure. They have received many callers. Hamilton, sitting up cheerfully and smoking, said that after leaving Roma they climbed 10,000 ft. to clear the hills 8000 ft. high. Snow and clouds obscured their view, but the forecast had predicted fine weather shortly so they kept on. However, they were still befogged after two hours and 40 minutes. It was then decided to cross the Apennines. Over the plains they shared in the piloting. A snowstorm at an altitude of 4000 ft. made everything invisible and they tried to descend,' but crashed between Altamura and Corato. Botb Men Taint After Ordeal. Coupland said he found Hamilton senseless after the crash, with cuts on his face. The machine was embedded deep in a snowdrift. The* undercarriage was lost and the propeller broken. After finding the deserted hut, two miles away, they returned to the machine and both fainted. Hamilton recovered at dawn. When found by the peasants they had to walk miles to the farm. The snow was so deep that the journey of 20 miles to Ruvo took eight hours. The airmen say they will prepare for a fresh flight immediately they reach London after a few days spent at Ruvo in recuperating. They specially thanked j General Balbo, Minister of Air, for his assistance.