AMAZING RECOVERY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 229, 24 June 1944, Page 8

AMAZING RECOVERY

Badly Injured N.Z. Airman (Official News Service.) LONDON, June 22. Two years ago as a New Zealand heavy bomber was taking off for a test « flight with a full load, one of its motors t suddenly cut out and it crashed heavily on the outskirts of an English airfield. When the pilot was reached, he was found to be so badly injured from head i. to foot that his friends wondered whether he would ever be able to walk again. His feet were almost wrenched off. He had 14 breaks in one leg and four in the ’ other. His back was broken in two places, his right arm smashed, his skull fractured, and he had severe facial injuries as well. , Yet today this New Zealander, Flight . Lieutenant A. Colville, Christchurch, whose people live in Methven, is not only walking but is still very much _in the service and eager to start flying ‘again as soon as he is permitted. Thanks to the best' of orthopaedic and plastic i, surgical skill and his own courage and determination, Colville has made an amazing recovery, and now the only 'sign of his injuries is a limp. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, met Colville at an aircrew reception centre, where, as president of the selection board, he interviews hundreds of New Zealand trainees as they arrive in this country. Mr. Fraser went there in continuation of his programme of visiting as many air stations as possible where New Zealanders are based before he returns to the Dominion. Mr. Fraser informally addressed a large gathering of New Zealand airmen there, and answered their questions. He briefly described his visit to the division in Italy and the progress of operations in the South Pacific, and discussed various other matters, notably : rehabilitation plans. “ In the neighbourhood of the town, Mr. Fraser was shown' the activities of an organization known as the Lady Frances Ryder Hospital League, which interviews every newly-arrived Dominion airman and arranges accommodation for him wherever in Britain he wants to go on leaye. New Zealanders have told Mr. Fraser that they are most appreciative of this scheme, and the Prime Minister expressed the Dominion’s gratitude to the league officials.