AIR FORCE PUPIL KILLED

Southland Times, Issue 24355, 8 February 1941, Page 8

AIR FORCE PUPIL KILLED

PLANES COLLIDE IN AIR AT TAIERI (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, February 7. A collision 100 ft above the ground between two training planes that were coming in to land at the Taieri Air Force station at 7.30 this morning resulted in the death of one pilot and in two other pilots being injured. The victims of the crash were: — KILLED Leading Aircraftman Desmond Thomas Francis Hanrahan.. Next of kin, Mrs H. Hanrahan, 128 East street, Ashburton. INJURED Flying Officer L. F. Poore, instructor, of Green street, Mosgiel; fractured arm, shock and bruises. Leading Aircraftman Philip Walter D’Arcy Stewart. Next of kin, Mr W. T. Stewart, Victoria Avenue, Wanganui; bruises and shock. Leading Aircraftman Hanrahan was flying solo and was bringing the plane in to land when it collided with another machine in which Flying Officer Poore was instructing Leading Aircraftman Stewart. The planes met 100 feet above the ground and then came apart again, but it was too late for either pilot to avert a crash. Leading Aircraftman Hanrahan’s machine crashed straight to the ground and the pilot was killed instantly. REMARKABLE ESCAPE The occupants of the other machine had a remarkable escape from fatal or at least serious injury. Their plane crashed on top of the hedge and although it was badly smashed both men escaped with comparatively minor injuries. Flying Officer Poore was conveyed by ambulance to the Dunedin Hospital and Leading Aircraftman Stewart was admitted to the station hospital. Both planes were completely wrecked and only certain parts will be of use. This is the first fatal flying accident that has taken place at the station, apart from the occasion when a visiting Airspeed-Oxford bomber crashed and Squadron Leader J. H. Kitson was fatally injured. Despite the fact that Taieri is an elementary training school the station has been remarkably free from serious accidents and comparatively few crashes have taken place. No explanation can yet be given for the accident, visibility being excellent at the time. There will be an official inquiry.