Ohakune Coroner Expresses Sympathy With Relatives

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1948, Page 4

Ohakune Coroner Expresses Sympathy With Relatives

OHAKUNE, Last Night (PA).—I feel that there are thousands of people throughout the Dominion who wish their symnathy expressed to those who have been so tragically bereaved," said the coroner, Mr. W. H. Sandford, when the inquest into the deaths of the 12 victims whose bodies were recovered from the wreked airliner was opened at Ohakune Junction today.

"The disaster has spread dismay in the hearts of the people, first in its magnitude, and second in the time that elapsed before the plane had been located. 1 know the people ol the Dominion would wish someone to express on tlielr behalf their thanks and appreciation o:' the untiring elforts and the willingness to do everything possible in the search for the missing plane," the coroner added.

"The work of the air services is an outstanding tribute to the oiuanisation anrt thoroughness of the search made from the air under gruelling and hazardous conditions, and no praise can be too high tor the magnificent efforts nut forth. We are truly thankful that no further accident has occurred in the search under! such adverse conditions.

“To all those who took part in the search on the ground I express grateful thanks for the services so wholeheartedly and willingly given in various parts of the country where conditions are nowhere easy. To the Police Department and their great band of helpers, including local mountaineers and bushmen in bringing in the bodies from the wreck, no praise can be too great, for it is only those who have undertaken such hazardous, clidlieult and exhausting work that can appreciate tlie effort that has been put forth bv them. Also, thanks are due to the Armv ana other services for the equipment and personnel made available, and last, but mt least, to the amateur radio transmitters organised by the police who did such good work in keeping contact with the search party and proved the worth of this equipment in all such emergencies.