THE PHILIPPINES: SEARCH CONTINUES FOR REMAINING BODIES OF C-47 AIR FORCE PLANE CRASH

Record ID: 635563

  • Title: THE PHILIPPINES: SEARCH CONTINUES FOR REMAINING BODIES OF C-47 AIR FORCE PLANE CRASH
  • Date: 9th August 1965
  • Summary: 1. LS RESCUE WORKERS CROSSING MOUNTAIN STREAM TOWARDS CRASH SITE (THREE SHOTS) 0.13 2. MLS RESCUE WORKERS THROUGH FOLIAGE TOWARDS SITE (FOUR SHOTS) 0.33 3. LS PLANE DROPS SUPPLIES NEAR SITE 0.38 4. MLS MAN PICKS UP SUPPLIES (TWO SHOTS) 0.45 5. LS SITE WHERE PLANE CRASHED 0.50 6. LS MAN BACK WITH BODIES IN BAGS (FOUR SHOTS) 1.18
  • Embargoed: 24th August 1965 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MT. MADIA-AS, SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Reuters ID: LVA28E8WVXBN9IK3LR5A06I3UWKA
  • Story Text: RESCUE TEAMS CONTINUED TO SCOUR THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES ON FRIDAY (AUG. 6) IN SEARCH OF VICTIMS OF A MISSING C-47 AIR FORCE PLANE WHICH CRASHED ON MOUNT MADIA-AS ON JULY 25 WITH 37 PERSONS ABOARD. SO FAR, 30 BODIES OF CREW MEMBERS AND PASSENGERS, INCLUDING FOUR CHILDREN, HAVE BEEN FOUND. THE BODIES, SEALED IN CADAVER BAGS, WERE LATER HELICOPTERED BACK TO MANILA FOR BURIAL.

    AS MOUNT MADIA-AS IS 6,500 FEET HIGH, MORE THAN 200 PARAMEDICS AND CARRIERS HAVE BEEN MUSTERED TO BRING DOWN THE REMAINS OF THE CRASH VICTIMS. THEIR SUPPLIES HAD TO BE AIRDROPPED BY LIGHT AIRCRAFT.

    FOUR BODIES EACH TO A CADAVER BAG AND IN TWO RELAYS, THE CARRIERS COULD ONLY NEGOTIATE IN 15 HOURS AT THEIR BEST ON FOOT. IDENTIFICATION OF THE VICTIMS IS BEING CONDUCTED BY A TEAM OF PHILIPPINES AIR FORCE DENTAL EXPERTS AT THE REQUEST OF THE BEREAVED FAMILIES.

    THE SEARCH IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MORE DAYS FOR THE REMAINING SEVEN OTHER PASSENGERS WHOSE BODIES ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DISINTEGRATED IN THE THUNDEROUS EXPLOSION THAT FOLLOWED THE CRASH.

    THE PLANE WAS LAST HEARD FROM EARLY SUNDAY MORNING AROUND THE VICINITY OF ROMBLON ISLAND ABOUT 170 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MANILA. IT WAS ABOUT 40 MINUTES FLYING TIME AWAY FROM ITS DESTINATION IN ANTIQUE PROVINCE, PANAY ISLAND, ABOUT 250 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MANILA. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY TROUBLE WHEN THE PLANE WHICH WAS FERRYING MILITARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR DEPENDENTS LAST RADIOED ITS POSITION.

    MEANWHILE, AIR FORCE PROBERS WHO HAD GONE UP THE CRASH SITE WERE REPORTEDLY ABOUT TO COMPLETE THEIR FINDINGS ON THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE TRAGIC AIR DISASTER.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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