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Maroochy air crash

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Summary
  
Beach air crash

Crew
  
2

Survivors
  
2 (flight crew)

Destination
  
Noosa

Passenger count
  
0

Passengers
  
0

Injuries (non-fatal)
  
14 (on beach)

Date
  
30 December 1950

Total fatalities
  
3 (on beach)

Location
  
Maroochydore

Site
  
Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia

Operator
  
Royal Australian Air Force

Similar
  
1950 Heathrow BEA Vick, Llandow air disaster, 1950 Australian National, TWA Flight 903, 1950 Douglas C‑54D di

The Maroochy air crash was an aircraft accident that occurred at 11.10am on 30 December 1950 at Maroochydore beach, Queensland, Australia. Three children were killed and fourteen others were seriously injured as a result of the accident.

Contents

CAC Wirraway Serial Number A20-212 of the Royal Australian Air Force had been circling between Maroochydore and Alexandra Headland during a routine shark patrol when it suddenly banked steeply and crashed onto the crowded beach in front of the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club. The pilot and his observer survived the impact of the crash.

Casualties

  • Graham Blair, age 6, killed
  • Liam O'Connor, age 11, killed
  • Pauline Probert, age 6, killed
  • Robyn Vandersee, age 5, found buried head first in sand, broken arm
  • Beryl Jane Borca, age 32, left foot amputated and compound fracture of the right leg
  • Merle Vinnicombe, age 13, compound fractures of both ankles
  • Flight Lieutenant H.W. Thwaites, age 27, compound fracture of the right leg
  • Sergeant-Fitter Geoffrey Meyer Neill, age 38, head lacerations
  • Robyn Gail Austin, age 5, back injuries
  • Linda Iris Hale, age 38, fractured right collarbone, dislocated right shoulder, fractured ribs and shock, at first believed dead
  • Nellie Jane Probert, age 29, compound fracture of the right wrist, serious shock, severe injuries (mother of deceased child)
  • Brian John Rowland, age 10, unknown injuries
  • Stanley George Holt, age 24, lacerated left foot
  • Shane Oldham, age 5, unknown injuries
  • Jean Oldham, age 30, unknown injuries
  • Eunice McEligott (sp), age 32, unknown injuries
  • Enid Shanks, age 34, face, back and hand injuries
  • Roy Simon, age 2, shock

    • Memorials

    On 9 March 2013, a 2.4-metre 'Maroochy Air Crash Memorial' was erected at the site in memory of those killed and injured.

    References

    Maroochy air crash Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA