BELL BLOCK FATALITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 33, 8 February 1941, Page 6

BELL BLOCK FATALITY

VERDICT OF CORONER

AIRCRAFTMAN STRUCK BY LANDING PLANE f Per Press Association. | NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 7. An inquest was held before the I coroner, Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., into the death of Leading Aircraftman Maurice S. Best at the flying school, Beil Block, on December 6. A verdict that he died as the result of being struck while walking along the perimeter of the aerodrome by some part of an aeroplane in the act of landing was returned. , Robert S. Bruce, a trainee who was walking from the rifle range with Best, said that both were watching the plane, which seemed to be coming in normally, but then went into a sdieslip and seemed to be coming straight at them. He yelled to his companion and dropped to the ground. When he sat up he saw the plane go on and then stop. He looked towards his companion, \<.io was lying stiffly on the ground and bleeding profusely from the mouth. He then signalled the ambulance.

E. H. Beable said he was in the plane with Flying-Officer Parker as an instructor. He was too high and Parker took control and said he would sideslip to take off some height. He saw two men walking along the edge of the aerodrome and Parker said he thought he had hit one. He saw men waving and when he landed Parker went back. Parker, in evidence, described the fight, and landing and said the first intimation he had of the men being on the field was when he saw them after coming out of the sideslip.