FOUR LIVES LOST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16705, 24 July 1928, Page 4

FOUR LIVES LOST

PLANE CRASH INTO STREET SHOPS SET ON FIRE HBLSINGFORS, t¥ay 23. Details of the extraordinary flying accident, involving the deaths of, four persons and injuries to several others, whbh occurred yesterday at Viberg, a large city in Finland, have, been received. A flight of six marine aeroplanes was manoeuvring over the city when the propeller of one machine v struck the wing of a machine in front. The latter at once became out of control, and nose-dived dizzily right into the heart of the main street of the city. The aeroplane partly crashed on to the roof of the Finnish Lyceum, the remainder of the debris falling down into the street. The mechanic, a young man named Sanoksenaho, became pinned under the wreckage of the aeroplane which fell on the roof. He was eventually forced through the roof itself, and crashed through the ceiling to his death on the floor below. . , ... ...

The pilot, an experienced flier named Ahlman, was imprisoned in the aeroplane wreckage on the roof, this section bursting into flames. He was also killed." The burning wreckage set fire ' to the adjoining building, and, despite the efforts of the authorities, completely " destroyed two shops. Parts of the wrecked plane -which fell down upon the street below inflicted serious injuries upon many pedestrians. One woman was so seriously injured, that she died within a few minutes of •the, accident Another person has since ■expired. A portion of the debris fell straight * on to a motor car which was standicM at the side of the pavement, and froifF which the owner had alighted only h' , few seconds before. He himself had a narrow escape and the -motor car was wrecked.