SRANDED KOOKABURRA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20707, 3 May 1929, Page 9

SRANDED KOOKABURRA

LAND PARTY’S REPORT. * BOTH AIRMEN FOUND DEAD. i OVERCOME BY THIRST. TRAGIC TONE OF DIARY. i (United Press Association.; (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) ■ ■ SYDNEY, May 2. After two days’ silence by the land search party the details of the tragic discoveries made at the site of the stranded Kookaburra were received in a brief message from Wave Hill by the secretary of the Air Board:— The body under the plane was that of Mr Hitchcock, not Lieutenant Anderson, as was previously reported. Lieutenant Anderson’s- body was found by a black tracker 400 yards from the Kookaburra. Lieutenant Eaton reported that the todies were in 'such a condition that it was impossible for the-party to take them back to Wave Hill. Owing to the shortage of water the .land party was unable to remain any longer at the spot, and was forced to' return •to Wave Hill after burying the bodies. ' The- report further stated that the engine of the plane was in good order. On the rudder of the machine the party found the written notes of the unfortunate men’s experiences, stating that • owing to debility caused by thirst they lad not sufficient .strength to get the plane away.