The 1943 Seaspray RAAF incident was an incident in Seaspray, Victoria on 27 December 1943[1][2][3] involving a Royal Australian Air Force plane that was flying off Seaspray Beach at a low level, towing a drogue target on a wire. After the target was released, the wire failed to wind in, injuring people on the beach.[4] Seven people were injured, including two who had their legs amputated. These were Sale residents Hector Luxford and Noreen Cullen. People with more minor injuries included two children aged 16 and 14 who received injuries from sand propelled into the air.[5]
 Seaspray beach, circa 1920-1954 | |
| Date | 27 December 1943 |
|---|---|
| Location | Seaspray, Victoria |
| Non-fatal injuries | 7 |
| Arrests | 1 |
| Verdict | Acquitted |
The pilot involved in this incident, Lindsay White, was almost immediately placed under arrest, being put under constant guard.[6] White was acquitted in a court-martial, saying that apart from feeling a "distinct tug", he was not aware of the injuries caused, and that he did not see the beach.[7]
As for the survivors, Luxford and Cullen received compensation of £3000, however, this was not adequate to pay for the medical care they both required. Cullen, who was only 17 at the time of the incident, spent four months in hospital learning to walk again with prosthetics, and ultimately married Bill Waud in 1948, changing her name to Noreen Waud and having two children.[8] A plaque has since been installed at the beach where the accident occurred. Noreen Waud died on 3 May 2021.[9][10]
References
edit- ^ "LIMBS SEVERED BY TOWING ROPE". The Central Queensland Herald. 28 December 1943. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
At Seaspray Beach, 22 miles from Sale, yesterday...
- ^ "Victims Of Plane Accident Improve Slightly". The Advertiser. 29 December 1943. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
Although still on the danger list, the man and girl who were injured by a steel cable trailing from an aircraft at Seaspray on Monday...
- ^ "Shocking Beach Accident". Border Watch. 30 December 1943. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
When a [?]-inch steel cable trailing from an R.A.A.F. plane flying low over Seaspray Beach, about 22 miles from Sale, lashed a crowd of holidaymakers shortly before noon on Monday...
- ^ "Shocking Accident at Seaspray". The Age. 28 December 1943. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
A target attached by a wire to an R.A.A.F. plane, which was flying at a low level, struck a group of people on the beach.
- ^ "Girl's Legs Severed". Warwick Daily News. 29 December 1943. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "RAAF PILOT IS UNDER ARREST". The Newcastle Sun. 28 December 1943. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "AIRMAN ACQUITTED". Daily Advertiser. 27 January 1944. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ Lucas, Rachel (25 January 2018). "Woman reflects on 74 years as a double amputee after accident involving RAAF plane took her legs". ABC News. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "WAUD, Noreen | Death Notices | Daily Telegraph". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ Lucas, Rachel; Davis, Riordan (5 May 2021). "Memorial service planned for Noreen Waud, double amputee who lost her legs in freak accident in 1943". ABC News. Retrieved 8 May 2021.