THE PLANE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1929, Page 5

THE PLANE TRAGEDY

Anderson & Hitchcock Both Bodies Found A Tragedy of Thirst (Australian Press Association). (Recei -ed this (lav at 8.30. a.m.) SYDNEY, May 2. After two days’ silence by the land search party details of the tragic dis coveries made at the site of the strandr ed Kookaburra were received in a brie' 'message from Wave Hill by the Secretary of the Air Hoard. The body under the ’plane was that of Hitchcock, not Anderson as previously reported. Anderson was found by a black tracker four hundred yards from the Kookaburra. 'Lieut. Eaton reported the bodies were in such a condition that it Was dfhpossible for the party to take them •TjaVk to Wave Hill, and owing to the shortage, off water the land party was unable to remain any longer at the spot and was forced to return to Wave Hill after the bodies were buried. The report further stated that the engine of the ’plane' was in good order. : '• On the rudder of the machine the parly found written notes o*f the unfor tunate men’s experiences, stating that owing to debility caused by thirst, they had not sufficient strength to get the ’plane away. A SAD STORY. FURTHER PARTICULARS. (Received this •' ° a.m.) SYDNEY, May 2. Eaton’s message to the Air Hoard was to the effect that the party reached the Kookaburra on April 29th. Hitchock’s body was found under the wing. The probable date cf bis death was April 12th or 13th. The party buried Hitchcock’s bodv on the afternoon they arrived. After searching for an hour and a lie’if, Anderson’s body was found and buried. The forced landing' was due to cylinder trouble. A runway was cleared but no) 1 take off was attempted until April llth, owing to increased debility due tmthirst, dtist and flies. itieaving Alice Springs Anderson followed the telegraph line for one hundred’ miles, but owing to cross winds arid ? inaccurate compass had to steer by thp£sun on account of the featuieless desert. •'A' short rough diary containing this information was written on the 'fabric of/the rudder dated April 10th. Apparently Hitchcock died first, and Anderson left the machine with an air cuslnon and two bottles of petrol to Seek water,' Hut had proceeded only half a 'mile in a circular course before bis death. A small hole was dug beside the machine 'for water, and alcohol from the compass had been drunk. Two packets of biscuits still remained in til* ’plane, which Was damaged during the landing, the under-carriage being strained and the fuselage and three-pl;-on the side split. The fabric of the ’plane was torn and one tyre was flat.. Approximately 20 gallons of petrol remained and tue oil pump was 'full. _ . Eaton adds that he removed the piece of fabric with the diary on it. The nearest water from Anderson’s ’plafll is a small mud-pool fast drying up forty-five miles north-west. The first attempt by the land party to reach the plane on April 27th was unsuccessful, owing to its being unable to locate it. The horses went without water for forty-five hours and the country covered was very bad. A specially equipped party with two one-ton trucks could possibly- get through to Anderson by following oui tracks. Eaton concludes that the wreaths dropped from the air were placed on tin graves.