AEROPLANES CRASH.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17974, 20 March 1930, Page 11

AEROPLANES CRASH.

WHEN ENGAGED IN FILM

TEN PEOPLE KILLED. (From a Correspondent.) NEW YORK, January 4. No scenario writer ever sketched a more dramatic story than the tragedy which befell ten cinema men yesterday afternoon aa they were flying over Santa Monica Bay, 25 miles from Los Angeles, California. All died in a terrific crash of two aeroplanes as they were seeking to provide millions of film lovers with one of the greatest thrills on the screen. Airs Elinor Glyn had written a story, “Such Men Are Dangerous,” based on the life of the Belgian financier, Captain Lowenstein, who disappeared from an aeroplane over the English Channel. The filming of the supposed manner of his death was in progress when two aeroplanes out of the three engaged in the work collided, and, locked in a firm embrace, carried their occupants 3000 feet down into the sea. Mr Warner Baxter, as Captain Lowenstein, and his double, who was to make a parachute jump which would have been the sensation of the film, were in the third machine. It descended safely. In the other two aeroplanes were the well-known Fox Film director, Mr Kenneth Hawks, and several camera and property men, together with the pilots. High in the air the three machines rode in the light of the setting sun. all the occupants alert for the great moment when Captain Lowenstetn’s impersonator would jump from his aeroplane, while the other two aeroplanes would dive after him, with the camera men working skilfully to obtain the picture. Then fate intervened. Within the horror-stricken view of j thousands of people on shore the: upper machine was seen to drop like j a hawk and strike the one beneath. There was a momentary shudder as the wing broke and the two machines burst into flames. In one mass they whirled into the ocean below. Two men were seen to jump with parachutes, which, however, failed to open before the water was reached. When the first rescue boats arrived only charred bits of canvas and blackened splinters of wood told of the tragedy. Not the least pathetic incident was the breaking of the news to Miss Mary Astor, the actress, the wife of Mr Hawks, who is playing in Los Angeles in the comedy “Among the Married.” She was preparing for the evening performance when another member of the company sought to tell her the sad news. Quietly Miss Astor said: “If my husband is dead tell me.”