Shocking Air Disaster

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1922, Page 2

Shocking Air Disaster

PARIS-LONDON EXPRESSES

collide.

tOBTHAI.IAN AND N. 7, CABLE ABSOCIAIION. PARIS, April 8. A shocking aeroplane disaster has occurred at Tilloy. A British aeroplane, of the Diamler line was bound from London to Paris with mails. It collided near Tilloy, with a Goliath machine, which. had left Le Bourget with ‘three passengers, for London. Both of the machines crashed to earth, after which they caught fire. In the crash five passengers and the ■ mechanics wore killed, and one person wag seriously injured. At the tame of the colliion, the visibility was fairly good, but low clouds and‘light vain prevailed, planes were only 400 f eo t above "jthe earth. They were flying thus low in order to steer by the broad white band of the main road. Their speed w as about 105 miles an hour. The Diamler plane was carrying mails and newspapers, *wltE pitot Duke and a mechanic. The Goliath machine was in charge of Pilot Mier. The spectators heard the roar of the engines. Then they heard a crash, after which there was a of smoke and flames which Seemed to divide into two: as - it fell. When the spectators reached the spot, five bodies were in fire twisted debris. Duke’s mechanic was still alive but he died in th e hospital. The passengers included Mr Bruce Yule, and his wife,. who were 'Americans. This is the first collision thalt has occurred on the London to Paris route and it is also the 'first- fatal crash on this route since December 1920« Si n ce then no fewer than 18,000 passengers have been, carried with oufi an aocideat.