FOUND SAFE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 418, 30 December 1932, Page 5

FOUND SAFE

ATTEMPT TO LOCATE GOLD REEF IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA AEROPLANE CAPSIZES Perth, Thursday. A Hereules aeroplane retnrned to Forrest to-day after locating Mr. Whelan, one of the passengers who had to be left behind when a 'plane took the air after a forced landing and repairs in Gentral Australia. Mr. Whelan was sighted abont 215 miles to the north, and provisions and water were dropped. from the searching 'plane. No blacks were sighted. It is now proposed to go to his rescue on horseback, and' the journey will probably take four weeks. After being overdue for five days, the aeroplane piloted by Mr. N. Baker and carrying two passengers, Mr. P. Whelan and Mr: N. Stuckey, was reported to be safe at Cook. The party was on a journey in an effort to locate a gold reef in Central Australia. As a result of a forced landing, the aeroplane capsized in rough country, and as the temporary repairs did not enable the machine to rise with the passengers, Mr. Whelan was forced to remain behind with a small amount of provisions. It was expected that he would be rescued to-day by one of three search aeroplanes. Messrs Baker and Stuckey on their return to Cook, were hlood bespattered:; showing ohvious signs of hardship. The latter had a wound on his head, which he received while trying to disentangle himself from the overturned 'plane.