SCIENTIST KILLED

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21356, 26 February 1941, Page 6

SCIENTIST KILLED

! SIR FREDERICK BANTING VICTIM OF AIR CRASH ON IMPORTANT MISSION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) OTTAWA, Feb. 25 The Minister of Defence, Colonel J. L. Ralston, announced that the famous Canadian scientist Sir Frederick Banting, discoverer of the insulin treatment for diabetes and winner of the Nobel Prize, and two companions were killed in an air crash. The fourth member of the party is alive and is being rescued by two trappers. The aeroplane was located in a bay j between Canada and Newfoundland. The Prime Minister, Mr Mackenzie King, said Sir Frederick Banting was killed while “en route to Britain on a mission of high national and scientific importance.” fie added that Sir Frederick was working on medical problems associated with the “speed, height and low temperatures involved in the operation of modeivi aircraft.” Dean C. J. Mackenzie, acting president of the National Research Council, said Sir Frederick Banting was engaged on work “as great, if not as spectacular, as the discovery of insulin.” He added: “The story cannot be told now, but it will be a great story after the war.” It is reported in Government circles in Ottawa that Sir Frederick Banting was taking to England a method of countering gas attacks which was expected to nullify to a marked degree any German efforts to utilise gas warfare in the predicted invasion attempt. It is understood the plane lost its bearings in a storm and flew blind for hours. The engine failed and it crashed. Three of the occupants were killed instantly. ONLY ONE SURVIVOR PILOTS’ SKILL AND DARING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 26, 3.15 p.m.) MONTREAL, Feb. 25 The pilot, Captain Joseph Mackey, was the sole survivor of the wrecked airliner. He was taken to Musgrave Harbour by a search party. Captain Mackey, who is famed for his skill and daring, was not injured.