FOUR KILLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23870, 22 January 1941, Page 6

FOUR KILLED

YOUNG AIRMEN CRASHES IN FOG ONE AUCKLAND VICTIM MACHINES HIT HILLS TRAINING AS PILOTS [I)V TEtEGRATII-TRESS ASSOCIATION] AVELLINC,TOK, Tuesc)ay Four members of the lloyal .New Zenlaud Air Force lost, their lives this morning when two nircrait of which they were the occupants encountered fogey conditions while on training flights near Blenheim and crashed into the tops of hills. The victims, all airmen pilots under training at the Royal New Zealand Air Force station at Woodbourne, were:—•

Leading Aircraftman Angus Victor MacLeod Gilmoiir, aged 21, son of Dr. W. Gilmoiir, 101 Mountain Hoatl, Epsom, Auckland. Leading Aircraftman Guy Wilfrid Suisted, son of Mr. C. H. Suisted, 46 Hobson Street, Wellington. Leading Aircraftman William Frederick Reader, son of I\lr. W. T. Reader, 32 Volga Street, Island Hay, Wellington.

Leading Aircraftman Rodney Albert Llewellyn, aged '2O, son of ilr, J. W. Llewellyn, Euawai, North Auckland. Both nicer ait involved were Vickers Vinrents. They left, the Wood bourne aerodrome nr 8..*50 a.m. and ]0 a.m. respectively to undertake a training flight. Struck a Hilltop The first, machine was piloted by Aircraftman Snisted, with Aircraftman Gilmour as navigator, and the second piloted by Aircraftman Eeader, with Aircraftman Llewellyn as navigator. The weather at Blenheim when the aircraft took off was satisfactory. Later in the morning a report was received that an aircraft had crashed near Seddon, in the vicinity of Bedwood Pass Boad. The report fixed the time of the crash at about 9.45 a.m. A medical officer was immediately flown to near the scene of the accident.

Investigations revealed that the aircraft. had struck about 100 ft. from the top of a hill 1000 ft. in height.

Fog had then extended in a thick blanket to a fairly low level. It is believed the pilot eame through this thinking he was clear of the hills. The occupants of the aircraft. Aircraftmen Suisted and Gilmottr, had been killed instantly. Wreckage Catches Fire Apparently the same fog conditions were responsible for the crash of the second aircraft, which struck about 25ft. from the summit of a hill approximately 2000 ft. in height, in the vicinity of Welds Pass, also near Seddon. A search party sent to investigate reported that the crash had occurred at approximately 10..'50 a.m. The aircraft was a total wreck, Aircraftmen Header and Llewellyn being killed instantly. The wreckage had caught fire on the ground. All four airmen were equipped with parachutes, which had not been used. Other Aircraft Return Several other aircraft were engaged in similar air exercises from Woodbourne. These returned to the aerodrome when they encountered unfavourable weather, in accordance with instructions issued to the pilots. Apparently the two aircraft involved in the accidents endeavoured to complete the exercise and ran into the adverse conditions which developed. A court of inquiry will meet in Blenheim at 11 a.m. to-morrow.

COURSE NEAR END

EXPECTED TO GO ABROAD BROTHERS IN THE FORCES The second son of Dr. W. Gilniour, acting-superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, Leading Aircrnftman Gilniour camp to New Zealand from Scotland with his parents as a child. Ho attciidcd Auckland Grammar School and had spoilt, a year at Auckland University College prior to joining the Air Force. Leading Aircraftman Gilmour received his preliminary air training at Levin. Later he was stationed at Harewood, and was completing his course at Blenheim, where he sat for his final examination Inst week. He expected to (to abroad after completing his training at the end of February. His elder brother, Lieutenant W. L. M. Gilniour, is serving in Egypt with the New Zealand Modieal Corps.

Leading Aircraftman Llewellyn was born at Ruawai. He received his early education at Wlienuaiini School and Ruawai District High School. Leaving his work in the city ho entered the Auckland Teachers' Training College, but on tlio outbreak of war immediately applied for entry into the Air Force. He did not begin, his training until last September, however, and after passing through courses afc Levin and Harewood was completing his course at Blenheim. Mr. and Mrs. Llewellyn have two other sons in the armed forces, one being with the Army in Egypt and the other being an Air Force radio mechanic at Christchurch.