AEROPLANES COLLIDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1941, Page 5

AEROPLANES COLLIDE

TRAGEDY AT BLENHEIM ONE PILOT PRESUMED DEAD. FATHER RESIDES AT GREYTOWN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) BLENHEIM. This Day. A collision between two aircraft ot the R.N.Z.A.F. station Blenheim, when practising formation flying, occurred about 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon a short distance out to sea. between White Bluff and the Awatere River mouth, north-west of Cape Campbell. One plane, piloted by Leading Aircraftsman Alee Haigh, whose father is Mr Arthur Haigh, Humphries Street. Greytown, fell into the sea, but no trace could be found of the pilot and it must be presumed that he is dead, though floating wreckage was located shortly afterward by an R.N.Z.A.F. launch which happened to be proceeding through Cook Strait. The other machine, piloted by Leading Aircraftsman John Joseph Fox, whose wife is Mrs Mary Patricia Fox. 19 Hankey Street, Wellington, made a forced landing on the beach and the pilot was admitted to the Wairatt Hospital suffering from slight wounds and abrasions. His condition is not serious. No details are yet available, but it appears that two of three planes flying in formation collided and that the aircraft piloted by Leading Aircraftsman Haigh was practically cut in hall. A court of inquiry will be held. The late Mr Alex. Haigh was the second son of Mr and Mrs A. M. Haigh, c. Greytown, and was 35 years of age. He was educated at the Greytown District High School and the Masterton Technical School. He served his aprenticeship as a motor engineer with Mr F. J. Nichols, of Greytown. Of a quiet disposition. he was very popular. Jhe sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended to his parents, brothers and sisters.