On the fiftieth anniversary of Australia’s second worst airliner crash, a Vickers Viscount that claimed 26, the thoughts of Jane Rushton, the daughter of Captain Brian Bayly, are with others impacted by the tragedy.
“My thoughts are with everyone who was affected by the crash,” said Mrs. Rushton.
There were many families devastated by the crash such as the wife and eight children of 34-year old Gordon Collins, who told his wife just before he boarded that he didn’t want to go.
And there was Dorothy Weir, whose husband, Gordon, was a passenger, who told researcher Anthony James that she “had a strange sensation” about the flight.
“My legs suddenly buckled under me and I could not walk. I just sat there and watched the plane until it disappeared,” she told Mr. Jones.
READ: Faulty repair work doomed Viscount fifty years ago
There were many families left without a breadwinner and there was no formal investigation to prosecute those Ansett-ANA staff responsible for the damaged repair to the Viscount, so relatives could get compensation.
In 2005, the widow of the first officer Michael Nelson, Jeanette tried unsuccessfully to have a formal inquest conducted by the Coroner but it was rejected.
In a Sunday Times article at the time, Mrs. Nelson lamented the tremendous hardship of those left behind.
“The personal hardship and tragedies would make you weep,” she said.
For Mrs. Rushton and her two older brothers, Tony and Ian the anniversary brings back memories of a father who was a “gentle giant” who would regale them with stories of flying around the Northwest.
“Dad loved flying and he loved the Northwest,” said Mrs. Rushton.”
Captain Bayly’s widow Joan died in June last year aged 94.
“Mum was always positive despite everything and she said that she had a good life.”
When the tragedy occurred Mrs. Rushton, then 14, and her mother were at home in Nedlands.
“As I recall, Captain Jack Murray was actually rostered on for the flight and he came to the house to tell us,” said Mrs. Rushton.
“My brother Tony heard the news on the radio of the Viscount crash and Ian was overseas at the time,” said Mrs. Rushton.
