AIR TRAGEDY

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 579, 8 October 1932, Page 9

AIR TRAGEDY

BOMBER DIVES, KILLING TWO. “ I am Seeing it Through.” PILOT’S GREAT HEROISM SAVES FOUR OTHERS. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received October 8, 1.55 p.m.) LONDON, October 7. A Vickers Virginia bomber flying at 700 feet over Compton, Surrey, developed engine trouble and apparently was seeking a landing place when the machine ignited, air-tilted, nose-dived and crashed into a field with a terrific explosion, burying Flying-Officer Page in 'the debris. A crew of four aircraftsmen in the cabin did not suspect that anything was wrong until Pilot-Officer Gully told them to jump in parachutes. Three landed safely and the fourth broke a leg. Pilot-Officer Gully delayed his jump and was killed as his parachute did not open. The aircraftsmen alighted in neigh bouring fields and ran from the blazing wreckage to summon assistance. The fire brigade was unable to reach Page's body for two hours. Air Force casualties in 1932 now number 43. “Jump for, it you chaps. I am seeing it through,” shouted Flying-Officer Page above the din of the engines, turning momentarily to 'the other occupants. This was the first intimation the crew had that the machine was doomed. They knew that one engine was misfiring, but were unaware of the seriousness of the position. Although Flying-Officer Page, whose name will be assuredly written in the Air Force scroll of fame, realised the danger, he unhesitatingly decided to sacrifice himself and pilot the 'plane a few more miles to enable his comrades to leap to safety. There were many eye-witnesses, including women and children, who cheered the parachutists as they came down, but their cheers turned to cries of horror as the 'plane crashed in flames.