Hongkong, Aug. 9.
The British destroyer Thracian rived here at 6.30 a.m. with the eight persons rescued from the C.N.A.C. plane Chekiang. Anxiety. for the fate-of the three missing members of the crew is growing as hour by hour passes without news of them. It is feared that the men, Mr. George Ohrnberger, the ce-pilot, and the Chinese radio operator and Chinese steward, were drowned while attempting to swim ashore from the ill-fated plane.
Bad weather was blamed for the crash of the China "National Aviation Corporation air-liner Chekiang yes~ terday morning, in an official statement' issued bythe company's: office here to-day.
The eight persons rescued from the plane, which came d@yn—near-~ Chuang Point, 90 miles north of Hongkong, are recuperating in hospital, while a Chinese Customs cruiser continues the search for the three men missing, Mr. George Ohrnberger, the ce-pilot, the Chinese radio operator and the Chinese steward, Accorditiy to the C.N.A.C's statement, heavy rain. squalls and fog were encountered in the vicinity of Chuang Point, The pilot, Mr. Edward Smith, circled the plane in effort to return to Hongkong. Th" weather closed in behind and he was unable to see in any direction, a cir cumstances which necessitated' a forced landing.
Although he himself was injured in the crash, Mr. Smith gallantly but vainly attempted to save the life of the radio operator.
All the passengers paid tribute to the pilot's skill, in averting a more serious accident, und they likewise praised Mr. E. M, Walsh, representa tive of Curtiss-Wright Aviation Corporation, 2nd Mr. Wang Pao-shin, C.N.A.C. employee, both of who ni were instrumental in getting life belts to the remaining passengers and assisting them from the wreck.
They were also thankful for the courtesy and services extended ty: them "iby Mr. M. L: Mackenzie, Chuang Point light-keeper, who provided them with hot food and clothing, The Chinese Customs cruiser, while continuing its search for the three missing members of the crew, is also guarding the wreck', which has been dragged inshore and anchored, All the eight survivors were absolutely exhausted on their arrival and were immediately rushed to hospital, "How Accident Occurred Piecing together their brief stories, it appears that the pilot made a forced landing in a heavy fog and high-running sea. The machine was struck by an immense wave, which snapped off a wing, and turned turtle, throwing the occupants about inside the plane. The pilot received injuries to his ribs and arm.
The strong wind and sea kept, the door shut, but the occupants smashed windows, donned—life-belts. and crawled through, after which they clung to the wreck, Subsequently, a count was taken and it, was discovered that three members of the crew were missing.
Meanwhile, the Chuang Lighthouse had observed the accident and quickly sent out a junk, which took the survivors aboard. Later in the day the Customs cruiser Hoshing arrived and took the eight men aboard, but for the journey to Hongkong the men were transferred to the Thracian, 'A bulletin issued at the hospital this morning said that Mr. Smith and the two injured Chinese passengers were doing well and that their in- 4 juries were not considered serious.
Among the.atsengers rescued who escaped any injury whatever +s Mr. E, N. Walch, an American aviator in the employ of the Kwangtung Government.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.