NEW ZEALAND DISASTERS AND TRAGEDIES
R.N.Z.A.F DE HAVILLAND DEVON COLLISION
WIGRAM, CHRISTCHURCH, CANTERBURY
THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER 1953

From - The Press - of 04 October 2014 Page C6 - New Housing At Wigram Encroaches On Disaster Site.

Shortly before 4pm on Thursday 15 October 1953, two R.N.Z.A.F. De Havilland Devon short haul transport aircraft collided when preparing to land at Wigram Aerodrome. The planes, NZ1810 and NZ1811 crashed near the intersection of Wigram and Awatere Roads.

The Devon's had been taking part in a 27-plane formation fly past at Harewood airport. The fly-past was the final public event in a week of events after the completion of the London to Christchurch air race.

Those killed were:-

DUNCAN Sholto Russell 41 Squadron Leader Nelson NZ1811
EBBETT Edwin Pattison Booth 39 Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) Geraldine NZ1810
KEOGH Brian James 21 Aircraftman 1st Class Dunedin NZ1810
MELROSE Eric 21 Aircraftman 1st Class Dunedin NZ1810
SHARMAN William Henry 33 Aircraftman 1st Class Christchurch NZ1811
WOODCOCK Russell 20 Aircraftman 2nd Class Murchison NZ1811
ZIESLER Erling William 31 Lieutenant Christchurch NZ1811


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