STRUCK BY PLANE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1941, Page 3

STRUCK BY PLANE

4. airman at bell block AERODROME. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. i ßy Telegraph—Press Association. > NEW PLYMOUTH. February G. An inquest was hold today before the coroner. Mr W. H. Woodward, into the death of Loading Aircraftsman Maurice S. Best at the Flving School, 801 l Block, on December G. when he was struck by a landing plane. A verdict that he died as the result of being .-.truck while walking along the perimeter of the aerodrome by some part of an aeroplane in the act of landing, death resulting from severe haemorrhage, was returned. Robert S. Bruce, a trainee who was walking from the t itle range with Best, said both were watching the plane, which seemed to be coming in normally. Then it went into a sideslip and seemed to be coming straight at them. He called to his companion and dropped to the ground. When ho sal up he saw the plane go on and then stop. He looked toward his companion. who was lying stiffly on -die ground bleeding profusely from the mouth. He signalled for the ambulance E. H. Beadle said he was in the plane, with Flying Officer Parker as instructor. He was too high and Parker took control and said he would, sideslip to take off some of the: height. He saw two men walking: along the edge of the aerodrome. Parker said he thought he had hit one. He saw men waving and when I they landed Parker went back. Parker, in evidence, described the] Hight and the lauding. He said his,' first intimation that they wore on the | field was when he saw them after i coming out of the sideslip.