AIR CRASH

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1930, Page 5

AIR CRASH

• THREE LIVES LOST. INCLUDING CAPT. GROSVENOR. (Australian Press Association) (Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 6. Ail aeroplane orashed and three persons were killed, including the pilot, Ca.pt. Grosv*. or, aide to the South Australian Governor. Details are lacking. MELBOURNE, Jan. 7. The victims of the piano disaster are:. — . ' Capt.-Hon. . Hugh Grosvenor, aide to the South Australian Governor. Flight-Lieut. F. A. Briggs, 11.A.F. D. C. Ewan, Leading Aircraftsman at Ft. Cook Flying School. Their machine, a Wackett-Widgeon cruised round Point Cook Air I'orce Aerodrome, for a few minutes, and then began a flight over Port Phillip Bay. ‘ Suddenly eye-witnesses saw the machine rocking and begin to descend, and when 400 ft. above the water it nosedived into the Bay and sank out of sighr. with the three airmen. The machine struck the water with terrific force. Capt. Grosvenor some months ago Hew round Australia and took part in the search for Moil' and Owen, grosvenor was an intrepid aviatoi, and also Briggs, who took part in the search for Smith and Ulm when the Southern Cross was lost.

■ FURTHER PARTICULARS. (Received this day at 10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 7. The: wreckage of the Wackett-Wid-geon II plane was found by a launch which vi&ited the scene, and a flying jacket was recovered which apparently belonged to one of the occupants. A plane circling overhead reported having located the Amphibian lying m about 50 feet of water. The bodies have not yet been', recovered. It is thought,they are imprisoned in the boat of the machine. The ill-fated machine struck the water about a mile from Point Cook. An eyewitness stated that the speed was terrific and the airmen had no time to jump. ' . The Southampton Super-marines, motor-boats and other craft rushed to the spot but at nine o’clock last night salvage operations were suspended until to-day. Grosvenor and Briggs had intended to >y and break the existing record between Australia and England. Briggs and Ewen were married, and the former’s wife is on her way to England to meet her husband on his arrival there. The reason for the plane’s sudden nose dive is unknown. It was built in Australia of Australian material, about eighteen months ago and was flown round Australia in 1928.