RESCUE EFFORT PRAISED

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1935, Page 7

RESCUE EFFORT PRAISED

PLANE’S CRASH INTO SEA SURVIVOR TELLS GRAPHIC STORY. QUICK TURN TO AVOID HEADLAND FINDING OF CORONER AT INQUEST. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Warm praise for the efforts made by Cecil Haigh to rescue his companion, Richard Noel Roake, when an aeroplane ■ in which they were flying from Blenheim to Christchurch fell into the sea at Waipara on January 19 was expressed by the coroner, Mr. H. P. Lawry, S.M., at the conclusion to-day of an inquest into the death of Roake. A finding of accidental death by drowning was recorded, the coroner remarking that there appeared to be no cause for comment on Roake’s piloting of the machine, that it was apparent that every reasonable safety precaution had been taken and that the flying regulations had been complied with. “I should not let this opportunity pass without emphasising the praise that is due to Haigh for the long sustained and gallant efforts he made in his endeavour to bring his companion ashore and the prolonged search for help he subsequently made,” said Mr. Lawry after announcing his finding. “The evidence shows that Haigh was continuously occupied in this task for 12 hours with very little' rest, and one cannot speak too highly of the efforts he made in very trying circumstances.” The only evidence on how the accident occurred was that of Cecil Herbert Haigh, manager of the Majestic Theatre, Christchurch,' who was in the aeroplane as a passenger with Roake. On January 19, said Haigh, he accompanied ’Roake in an aeroclub machine to Blenheim. The flight north was made without incident. FAVOURABLE WEATHER REPORT. They left Blenheim on the return journey at 12.40 p.m., having received a report from Christchurch that the weather was favourable. Near Motunau Island visibility was obscured by mist. Roake was following the coastline and in order to See the breaking surf he had to come down to an altitude of 400 or 500 feet. They both knew there was headland, in front and were looking out-for it. Haigh did not see it, but apparently Roake did, for he suddenly turned the machine sharply to the left. The machine was so close to the headland that Roake had to execute a stall turn with the wings at right angles to the ground. The turn was completed and the pilot zoomed down with an open throttle. At the moment Haigh expected the machine to lift again they were in the sea, the machine floating upside down. Haigh unfastened his safety belt. Roake was hanging from his belt conscious and trying to unfasten his belt. Roake lost consciousness before Haigh succeeded in releasing him. Haigh brought him to the surface, where he revived after 30 seconds. They held on to the machine and both took off their overcoats. The machine was sinking fast. Haigh swam off and recovered the landing wheels, vzhich were floating 30 feet away. Roake and he, holding the wheels, struck out for the shore, but made little progress. Roake said: ‘‘Have a rest and then swim for it.” After a rest of three minutes Roake made for a rock 50 yards off the shore. He reached it and was resting with his hand on the rock when a ■ big wave flooded the rock and Roake ’ disappeared. Haigh saw him 15 yards 1 on the seaward side of the rock, apparently in a bad way. He went to his ’ assistance, and brought him to the surface and eventually ashore. He tried to revive him but failed, and then went for assistance. In Haigh’s opinion Roake was dead when he was brought ashore.