FOUND IN THE BUSH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 15

FOUND IN THE BUSH

THIRD AIRMAN SAFE LOCATION OF MACHINE (Received April 23, 11.5 p.m.) , SYDNEY, April 23 When a second trip was madi? in a Demon aeroplane to the scene of. the forced landing of the Dragon Rapide machine, the occupants saw the third member of the crew, Aircraftsman Sherwood, who, like his companions, appeared to be fit. The wings of the Dragon Bapide appeared to be damaged. A rescue party in a motor-truck left Newcastle Waters early this morning to bring back the three men. It is expected that the truck will reach them before dark and be back at Newcastle Waters by lunch time to-morrow. A message from Flight-Lieutenant Simms last evening stated that the survey aeroplane was located by thu occupants of Air Force Hawker Demons about 50 miles north-east of Wavehill, close to a stock route, where water is available at irregular intervals. At least six machines have been engaged in the last few days in the search, which covered 5000 miles a day over most inhospitable arid country covered with spinhifix and broken granite. The searchers had followed many false clues. Yesterday, however, they continued in the direction of the broadarrow which had been seen marked on the ground, with the result that the missing machine was located. It was not nearly so far away as hud been anticipated. It was ascertained from a number of stockmen camped near Victoria Downs station that they had seen an Air Force aeroplane on Monday, April 13, since when it was not reported. The stockmen indicated the direction in which the machine was flying, which was most helpful in yesterday's search.

DAMAGED MACHINE WINGS AND TAIL BROKEN LONG TREK FOR RESCUERS (Received April 23, 11.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 23 The party which lias gone to the rescue of the three airmen marooned in the bush in the Northern Territory is conveying a large quantity of provisions, but no alcoholic stimulants, because the hotel at Newcastle Waters has run dry, largely owing to festivities which marked the discovery of the airmen. At 8 a.m. to-day the men received further supplies of food and water by means of parachutes from Air 1' orce aeroplanes which revisited the scene of the forced landing. The Air Board has sent a message of congratulation to the Air Force personnel upon the successful reaulfc of their search, and the board's thanks also have been conveyed to the civil pilots who assisted in the task. One of the pilots who flew over FlightLieutenant Hely's aeroplane to-day reports that the machine lies canted on a small cleared patch. Apparently when the forced landing was made it struck somf> anthills and a tree stump. The undercarriage collapsed and both the lower wings and the tail were broken. The crew had camped under a tarpaulin which had been erected under the fuselage. A large patch of ashes 100 yards from the machine suggested that the men hiid kept a fire going. In fact, one was still burning. Although the machine came down about 85 miles in a direct line from Newcastle Waters the total distance by the bush track is 130 miles. Numbers of aborigines volunteered to help in clearing the track for the ground party at the points where it is difficult for the motor-truck to travel.