CRASH IN RIVER

Southland Times, Issue 23025, 20 October 1936, Page 12

CRASH IN RIVER

ORDEAL OF AIRMEN. Two members of the Royal Australia Air Force, Pilot-Officers W. Alshorn and G. J. rQuinlan, were trapped in their cockpit when a Gipsy Moth training machine, the engine of which had failed, hit a telephone wire 200 ft. above the water and crashed into the Hawkesbury River, not far from the Richmond Air Force aerodrome. In spite of injuries, they fought their way to the surface and clambered to the tail of the aeroplane, where they awaited rescue by men who had rowed out in boats.

Mr Quinlan said the engine cut out and the aeroplane struck the wire when they were looking for ground to make a forced landing. “We were flying dual control,” he said, “and just managed to scramble from the cockpit in time. I cannot remember anything after we hit the water. It was a ‘black-out.’ ” Mr Frederick Hearne was working on his property near the river and heard two loud reports when the aeroplane was about 200 ft. above the water. He looked quickly at the aeroplane, the approach of which he had noticed casually earlier, and saw that it was crashing toward the centre of the river. It seemed to strike the water with tremendous force.

“There was a great splash,” he said “and practically all the aeroplane disappeared beneath the surface. My brother and I raced for our boat. As we ran we could see about two feet of the tail sticking out of the water. The crew could not be seen. They were in the cockpit, trapped beneath the water. Fortunately, the s>. machine had struck a shallow shoal. There are places where it would have sunk completely, but the nose apparently buried itself in the sand-bank in the. centre of the shoal. The two men on board must have suffered a terrific jolt. “We rowed with all our strength and saw a head suddenly bob up out of the water. At first that man seemed in a bad way. Then another man appeared, and they helped each other. They climbed to the tail, and clung there until we and other rescuers reached them. They were lucky to escape with their lives. Apart from facial wounds and shock, they appeared none the worse for their terrifying experience.” The aeroplane, when salvaged, was almost a wreck. The propeller had been smashed by the force of the impact with the water. The wings were crumpled and the cockpit smashed.