AEROPLANE CRASH

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 65

AEROPLANE CRASH

MACHINE OUT OF CONTROL OCCUPANTS SERIOUSLY INJURED. BLENHEIM, May 31. A serious crash occurred at the Woodbourne aerodrome shortly after 1 o’clock to-day, resulting iu grave injuries to the pilot of the aeroplane, Mr Frank V. Lysons, of Hawera, and his passenger, Mr Cyril Cory-Wright, of Auckland. They had flown from Christchurch, en route to Wellington, and were about to land. The machine got out' of control over the aerodrome and spun into the ground, striking with such force that the engine was partly buried and the whole machine reduced to a shapeless mass, no part of which will be capable of salvage. Fortunately, there was no fire and assistance was speedily at hand to remove the airmen from the wreck. They were removed to the Wairau Hospital, where both were operated on this afternoon. Mr Cory-Wright is the more seriously injured, suffering from fractured limbs and internal injuries. The injuries received by Mr Lysons include a badly broken ankle and foot, and he is generally knocked about. Mr Lysons recently returned from a trip to England, where he purchased the aeroplane, which is the latest type of Spartan Arrow. It was assembled at Wigram last week and Mr Lysons was flying it home to Hawera, intending to drop Mr Cory-Wright at Wellington. Both men hold pilot’s licenses.