BOMBER CRASHES INTO LAKE

Southland Times, Issue 23840, 10 June 1939, Page 6

BOMBER CRASHES INTO LAKE

Occupants Escape Injury SOUTHLAND PILOT IN MACHINE AEROPLANE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, June 9. While carrying out air-firing practice over Lake Ellesmere about 9.30 this morning, a Royal New Zealand Air Force Vickers Vildebeest bombing machine crashed into the water. The pilot had turned the machine into the sun. One of the wings hit the water and the machine turned over. ,

The pilot was acting Pilot Officer R. M. Stewart, and the other occupants were acting Pilot Officers V. B. de la Perrelle and J. C. F. Hayter. The occupants escaped injury, except for minor bruises and cuts. The plane was extensively damaged.

Pilot Officer de la Perrelle is the youngest son of the late Mr P. A. de la Perrelle. He received his early training at Taieri aerodrome and has been at Wigram since last November. He is due to complete his course there on June 24 and sail for England on July 14. LINESMAN KILLED IN FALL FROM POLE CONTACT WITH HIGH VOLTAGE LINE (United Press Association) PAHIATUA, June 9. Falling from a power line pole after coming in contact with, a 1100-volt line while working on the new line to' Pongaroa yesterday, John McAlister White, aged 26, a linesman employed by tire Tararua Power Board, received injuries from which he died in the Pahiatua Hospital early this morning. He was unconscious when brought in to hospital yesterday. He subsequently rallied but died later. FARMER’S SUDDEN DEATH (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 9. While riding in a tram-car in Karangahape road tonight, Robert Wilfred Edgar Staples, a farmer of Waipapa, Bay of Islands, collapsed and died. He was known to have been receiving medical attention.