THE RABAUL FATALITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18253, 23 November 1933, Page 11

THE RABAUL FATALITY

MSB. G. MIRFIELD’S DEATH details op, accident Details of the Rabaul airplane disaster have been received in Gisborne. The smash occurred on Sunday, Octobflf _ls, and resulted in Mr. Graham M®fcd, an ex-Gisborne boy, being seriotHy injured, and his wife being killed instantly. The Rabaul Times contains the following particulars concerning the tragedy:— “The greatest tragedy that has occurred in the territory took place on Sunday afternoon, when the seaplane, which recently arrived from Sydney, crashed with Mr. and Mrs. Mirfield as passengers and Pilot Duncan in charge. “Mrs. Mirfield was killed instantly, Graham Mirfield was seriously injured, and the pilot was fortunate in escaping serious injury. “On Sunday morning, the Rabaul Airways’ seaplane VH UNT, in charge of Pilot Duncan, left Kabakaul and from there several short joy rides were made by passengers. “About noon, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Mirfield climbed into the plane and departed in the direction of Pigeon Island. Returning, the plane travelled at an altitude of approximately 1000 ft., inland about three miles, and when near Rainau plantation it is alleged that the machine struck an air pocket which forced it ( down so low that the undercarriage \struck the top of a coconut palm of a native grove, cuttihg the trunk clean cif just below the heart and falling rapidly; another palm was struck by the wing and float on the port side which caused the machine to veer round, crashing to earth against the trunk of a palm and settling down on the starboard side some 20yds from the first palm that was struck. Mrs. Mirfield, it is believed, was killed instantly, and her husband, who was sitting beside her, was badly injured, while Pilot Duncan fortunately escaped serious injury, and, it is stated, being fearful of a conflagration owing to the benzine escaping from the overflow pipe, managed to extricate Mr. Mir. field from the wreckage. “Half-dazed from the shock, Pilot

Duncan had the presence of mind to proceed to Rainau, where lie telephoned for medical assistance, which arrived some time later. ‘‘Mr. Mirfield’s condition was found to be serious. He had sustained concussion and other injuries, and was immediately transported to the Bitalobo Hospital, and later to Namanula. “Ob Monday afternoon, all stores were closed early, and the attendance at the Church of England where the funeral service of the late Mrs. Mirfield was held was the largest ever experienced in Rabaul. The Rev. T. J. Gibson conducted the service, and delivered a most appropriate address. The coffin, as it rested in the aisle of the church, was covered with a mass of flowers, wreaths coming from a great number of friends as a last token of respect and a touching tribute to a cherished memory.” In further comment on the tragedy, the paper states: “There have been many tragedies enacted in and around Rabaul, but never has there been such a fateful event as that of last Sunday, which stunned the whole population with its suddenness, and bowed each head in - sorrow for personal loss and sympathy for the relatives of one whom all held so dear. In the passing away of Mrs. Mirfield we have lost one of our number whose charm and personality endeared her to everyone with .whom she came in contact.”