These Things We Do
By Guardian
Reporter
AN AMERICAN VOODOO JET from the
Deddington yesterday
but the pilot ejected
to safety.
Eye-witnesses
said the plane belching black smoke, leapfrogged” low over Hempton
and exploded in a cornfield about 150 yards from an unoccupied farmhouse. The
plane, the third Voodoo to crash since March this year, flew at about 100 feet
above Hempton said lorry driver Mr. William Dowling.
“It seemed certain to hit the village until the pilot used his boosters which
lifted the aircraft over the village. The plane was belching black smoke and
sort of leapfrogged over the housing estate.” “When it came down, I saw a flash
and bits flying everywhere. There was a terrific bang!” “Before the plane
crashed, it passed in a circle over Deddington and Hempton and it was getting lower all the time. I saw the
pilot eject and ran across the fields to help him.” “But
I got within 50 yards of the spot when a helicopter arrived and whisked him
away.”
Crash helicopters from RAF Upper Heyford
were first on the scene followed by fire tenders from Bicester,
Banbury, Hook Norton and Deddington.
The plane disintegrated on impact and ploughed up a large crater. Engines from
the aircraft were thrown over 100 yards away from the main wreckage.
A U.S.A.F. rescue helicopter
hovers over the foam drenched wreckage of the crashed Voodoo jet.
Editor’s Note: The responding
helicopters were from Det#2, RAF Upper
Thanks!