CRASH IN TOKOMARU GORGE  A verdict that deceased had been accidentally killed in the Tokomaru Gorge on November 14 through the aeroplane he was piloting crashing, was returned by the Coroner (Mr. A. J. Graham) at the inquest yesterday into the death of Pilot-Officer Thomas Everton Kirk, aged 26, a trainee from Ohakea. “It may be some consolation to the relatives to know,” the Coroner added,  that the evidence indicates that the injuries received by deceased probably resulted in a sudden death.” In evidence, Constable G. E. Chapman said he had organised a search party on the morning of November 16 consisting of bushmen and personnel from Ohakea aerodrome. They had located the wrecked aeroplane, which had crashed in a gully just above the junction of the Tokomaru stream and the Little Tokomaru stream. Wreckage of the plane was strewn over an area of about four chains by four chains. Examination showed that the plane had travelled up the Tokomaru and when near the forks of the two streams had turned sharply to the left into the gully. Witness had found that 12 trees, in diameter from one foot to two feet three inches, had been struck by the plane find completely shorn off. The plane had then continued for a distance of about four chains, finally crashing into a rock face and being destroyed by fire. The body of the pilot had been found among the ashes. As there was a fractured skull and other injuries, it was probable that death had been instantaneous. Deceased’s watch had stopped at 8.41 p.m. This was the only evidence tendered. The Coroner intimated that an officer from Ohakea had been summoned to be in attendance for the purpose of giving evidence as to the airworthiness of the machine and the ability of the pilot, but because of transport difficulties had not arrived in time. However, as an Air Board inquiry would be held into the accident, the evidence would not really be necessary for the inquest. In giving his verdict, the Coroner commended the action of the police in regard to the search efforts and paid a tribute to the search party organised by Constable Chapman, mentioning particularly the work of Mr. D. Honore, one of the settlers, whose knowledge of the bush had been of great value.

MANAWATU TIMES, VOLUME 65, ISSUE 304, 12 DECEMBER 1940, PAGE 4