MID-AIR SMASH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20099, 20 November 1939, Page 6

MID-AIR SMASH

SIX FLYERS DEAD

CRASH OF TWO PLANES

DISASTER NEAR MASCOT

TRAGIC PLEASURE TRIPS

TWO WOMEN; FOUR MEN

(Elat* Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) tßecd. Nov. 20, noon.) SYDNEY, Nov. 20.

Two aeroplanes, a Monospar machine and a Gipsy Moth, collided at a height of 500 ft. in the vicinity of the Mascot aerodrome yesterday morning. The occupants of both machines, four men and two women, were, killed.

The victims were: John Jones, who was the pilot of the Monospar machine, William Silvertsen, aged 25, Mrs. Monica I-latswell, aged 44, Miss Edith Richardson, aged 19, James Cicutli, aged 30, the pilot of the Gypsy Moth and his fellow passenger, Frederick Davidson, aged 25.

Both machines were preparing to land at Mascot and were following the course of Cook's River when the collision occurred.

The Monospar with its four occupants, fell like a rocket into the river. Considerable trouble was experienced in recovering the wreck of the submerged machine and establishing the identification of the victims, all of whom were badly injured.

The Gipsy Moth, with one wing stripped, crashed on the Bonnie Doon golf course in the presence of golfers who rushed to the scene and dragged the occupants out, but they were beyond aid.

Both planes were engaged in plea;ure flights.