CRASH IN STORM

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1937, Page 7

CRASH IN STORM

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

GIANT FLYING-BOAT FIVE DEATHS REPORTED TRAGEDY IN MOUNTAINS BAD WEATHER IN EUROPE FIRST VOYAGE TO EGYPT

Rec. 11.10 p.m. London, March 24. On her maiden voyage to Egypt the Imperial Airways' giant flying-boat Capricornus crashed in the snow-clad Beaujolais Mountains, near Ouroux, 35 miles north of Lyons. Four members of the crew were killed. They were: Captain A. Paterson, FirstOfficer Mr. G. E. Klein, flight clerk Mr. D. R. O'Brien and steward Mr. F. A. Jeffcoate. The only passenger, Miss B. M. Coates, an Englishwoman who was going to Alexandria, received injuries from which she later died. The wireless operator, Mr. J. L. Cooper, received a brolcen arm and other injuries. His condition is reported as satisfactory. Flying- Officer G. E. Klein, aged 29, was a son of Mr. J. Klein, Director of Education in Western Australia. He was killed on the first anniverSary of his wedding. He had had considerable flying experience. Gold Bullion Aboard. The flying-boat's freight included £11,000 worth of gold bullion. In addition it carried 65 bags of mail for all destinations along the route to Australia. They are intact and will be forwarded in a few days. The Capricornus cost £40,000. Imperial Airways, in an official statement, said: "The crash occurred during a severe storm, when visibility was nil. Officials are proceeding to the scene of the accident." The Capricornus left Southampton at 11 a.m., planning to alight on the River Saone, at Macon. 30 miles from the scene of the disaster, but she encountered bad weather while following the usual route across Europe. Apparently she was flying blind when the crash occurred. It was probably due to the formation of ice and snow on the wings. Mr. Cooper, although injured, struggled through the snow to a lonely farmhouse, where he gave the alarm. Farm-carts were immediately sent to the scene and the bodies were taken to an improvided chapel of rest in the village hall of Ouroux and Miss Coates was taken to hospital. The Copricornus dug ruts 350 yards long in the mountainside. The three engines were torn off but the plane did not catch fire.