THE AIR FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1920, Page 3

THE AIR FATALITY

PARTICULARS OF DISASTER. | t'I'KSS ASSOCIATION —CnP' r IMuHI NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. U. A terrible aviation fatality, involving three deaths, occurred near New Plymouth race course shortly after iovr o’clock ybsterday afternoon, when j Walsh Bros. Avro aeroplane carrying , a pilot and two passengers, crash-d. j The machine was wrecked and the tlo-ee occupants killed. The dead are Capt-im Richard Russell D.F.0., Croix de Guerre (pilot), James Clark aged fo'tyonc of New Plymouth, and Miss K Rb leen Warnoek, aged twentysix, Tho *vro which arrived here on ‘ Monday from Palmerston, had been engaged daily this week on passenger flights j from the racecourse, and Mr Clarke j and Miss Warnoek: were making a | short trip when the disaster occurred. I Prior to the accident Capt. Russell gave an exhibition of fancy Hying, but when the accident occurred be was finishing an ordinary passenger flight and was descending. The plane liad completed its journey and was descending towards the racecourse when it was seen to make a sudden topple and rapidly fell, landing in a- paddock not far fiom tlie racecourse. When a doctor arrived, all the occupants "’ere dead t The flight Which ended so tragically, started just as many a pleasant journey lias started before. Resting on the turf of the racecourse the machine buzzed with pent up activity ns if eager to speed away and then when the passengers had made themselves comfortable, away it went the turf soon to rise off the ground into the air. Flying perfectly, the machine made the circuit of the' course, afterwards flying over the Boys ’ High School and there turning homewards. It was in the next few moments that the crash came. Hundreds of people were watching the flight and they describe how the aeroplane suddenly toppld and swiftly fell straight down. No doubt was felt that tho plans had crashed. The easy stead flight had, in a moment changed to a sudden drop and the people sped to the scene hoping to help, knowing too well wliat that sudden drop meant, only to find the occupants of tlie machine beyond help. At an inquest hold in the evening a verdict that the accident ivas due to misadventure, the machine being ap- : parently in the best of order, was returned.