TWO DEATHS IN CRASH

Southland Times, Issue 23376, 7 December 1937, Page 7

TWO DEATHS IN CRASH

BRITISH FLYING-BOAT AT BRINDISI

AUSTRALIAN AND STEWARD

KILLED

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received December 6, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, December 5.

Captain William Macdonald Falconer, aged 47, of Charleville (Australia), and a steward, Frederick Stoppani, were killed when the Empire flying-boat Cygnus crashed when taking off from Brindisi.

Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Salmond, received a broken collarbone and an injured knee, and an Indian named Sharma suffered a broken leg. The remainder of the 13 persons on board suffered superficial injuries. Among the others injured are Mrs Ritchie, of Charleville, who is a sister of Captain MacDonald Falconer; Mr J. H. Barringer; and Mr James Patrick Sharma, an Indian, of Karachi. The Cygnus When taking off in a gale fell back into the water and submerged with the occupants. A motor-boat rushed to the spot and recovered them all. The Cygnus carried mails from Australia, and divers salvaged. it from a depth of 30ft. The plane sank near the centre of the southern shore of the outer harbour.

The Cygnus, which carried seven passengers and a crew of six, was a class C Empire flying-boat and was delivered last March.

An eye-witness says that a minute after taking off the plane came down as though making an emergency landing, but she struck a shoal, which explains why the tail was still protruding from the water. Prompt action by the motor-boat alone saved the lives of the occupants. Sir John Salmond was returning from a tour of the Imperial Airways services in the Far East. He left England three weeks ago. He arrived at Singapore suffering from slight fever but recovered and was able to complete his programme. The hospital officials at Brindisi state that the other injured, who include Mr Robert Lutyens, a son of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the architect, are suffering from cuts, bruises or shock. . The cause of the disaster is at present unknown and an inquiry is proceeding. AUSTRALIAN PILOT INCINERATED PLANE OVERTURNS DURING FORCED LANDING SYDNEY, December 5.

Eight Hawker Demon planes were flying from Cootamundra to Melbourne when the engine of one machine failed 12 miles from the destination. In making a forced landing the plane overturned and burst into flames, the pilot, Flying Officer Jack Frederick Fallon, being incinerated. ’ r , The observer. Leading Aircraftsman Fitzgerald, was severely burned and was admitted to hospital in a serious condition.

PLANE SEVERELY DAMAGED AT COOTAMUNDRA

(Received December 6, 8.35 p.m.)

SYDNEY, December 6. While a visiting squadron of the Royal Air Force was taking off from Cootamundra today, another plane crashed and was severely damaged. One occupant suffered a broken nose and another received extensive abrasions.