TRAGEDY OF THE AIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19505, 13 June 1925, Page 9

TRAGEDY OF THE AIR

BOMBER. DOWN IN THE SEA. TWO MEN LOST IN FOG. A bitf British bombing aeroplane down in the sea, shrouded in fog; would-bo rescuers swimming about folly dressed, answering the shouts of unseen men; two airmen missing, and two injured men rescued after clinging to their wrecked machine. These were the main features of a strange and dramatic air accident which occurred at Birehington-on-Sea on April 7. Within a quarter of a mile of the shore a gigantic Vickers-Virginia bombing aeroplane, attached to No. 9 Squadron at Mansion Aerodrome, a mile or so from Birchington-on-Sea, crashed into the sea. Pilot-officer E. 0. Bushell, who was piloting the machine, and Air-Craftsman A. C. Grellis, were rescued, but the other occupants, Pilot-officer Walker, a boy of 18 or 19, who only 10 days ago came to Mansion from the cadet school at OranweU, and Air-Oraftsman W. Milk, a Comishman, were renorted missing. In the boat which saved the airmen was Hugh Mitchell, aa ex-R.A.F. man, a friend of Bosh ell’s. The theory is that the two men hearing cries from the shore from people who had heard the crash but could not sea anything of it owing to the fog, swam in what they assumed to be the direction from which those cries, that spoke of coming rescue, came. But, misled by the fog, they mistook the direction, and instead of swimming to safety they swam out to sea and were drowned. In addition. Air-Craftsman Grolhs was sent to hospital in a dangerous condition, suffering 'from internal injuries; PilotOfficer Bushell was also injured with a deep cut in the leg and a cat forehead. But not so seriously. _ Early on the morning in question the bomber set out from Manston aerodrome \yith its crew of four to carry out part of the training appertaining to the new Home Force defence squadron. The object of this training is to teach pilots to ascertain their whereabouts in any kind of weather. The test was a sever? one, for a dense sea mist reduced risibility to about 10 yards. What happened is best told in the story Pilot-Officer Bushell related after his rescue. Trying to find ont where he was, the pilot descended; bat the sea and the mist being of the same colour, he crashed into the water. Head down, the machine struck the sea and turned right over. Then Mr Bushell assisted his fellow-officers, Mr. Walker, and Air-Craftsman Mills on to one of the planes of the machine. Later Mr Grellis also got on to the plane. Then Mr Bushell, exhausted by his efforts to have his companions, fainted. When ho came to Messrs Walker and Mills had disappeared. dramatic cmrversationa between people on the shore and those on the wrecked aeroplane had helped to make this accident the most remarkable of its kind. Cries for assistance from the misty invisible came from those ’on the wreA. Cheering replies came from those on the shore penetrated the fog. “Wo are sinking. Can anybody save us?” “Help, help; is nobody coming?” were the cries that came from the wreck through the curtain of fog. “Help is coming; hold on a little longer,” shouted people from the shore. _ "One man has broken his leg; another is knocked oat,” was another appealing message from the invisible. Back came reassuring messages that help was coming if only the airmen would keep the courage of patience. In the meanwhile boats were put out from the shore, but heroes would not wait for the launching of their boats. They h; d plunged into th 3 sea without even waitin ,r to shed a. sinkle garment. They included Dr Flood, of Birchington, and Billy James, a 17-year-old waiter at the Bereeford Hotel Birchingtou But Dr Flood stated aftarwards that their efforts were in vain. They could make no progress against the full tide with the drifting current, and they -tad to return. “After swimming about a quarter of a mile,” said James, “we got within sight of the ’plane, and saw two men on her shouting for help. The current was very strong, and, handicapped by clothing,; wo decided we should have to return for further help.” _ ■■ A boat in which one of the oarsmen wan llie son of another local doctor, rescued Mr Bushell, and another in which went'' a gardener. Mr Brockman, rescued Mr Grellis. In another boat was rowing Mr Roy Cook, a sweep, still black from his work. _ ; Mr Bushell’s only concern was for his passengers, about whose fate he made anxious inquiries. One of the first actions! of Mr Grellis, despite his serious injuries, was to-wrte a letter to hs sweetheart say-* 1 ing that he would not be able to see her at Easter. *iii Women gathered on th© shore with blankets and flasks of brandy awaiting ths arrival of any of the wrecked men. Tho aeroplane, winch was smashed almost to pieces, was later towed to shore.