Exhall Plane Crash, 1949

Does anybody recall the mid-air plane crash over Exhall in 1949? - wiki link I was very young at the time, but still have vivid memories of watching the wreckage fall from the sky for what seemed like an eternity. The next day, I walked with my father to Exhall, and I remember piles of wreckage guarded by RAF police. Before retiring, I travelled extensively on business, and although I was never afraid of flying, these images have come back to haunt me several times.

Thanks for posting that - I must admit I hadn't heard of it before What a terrible business

Hi Longford Lad Yes. My brother-in-law actually witnessed the mid-air collision, whilst cycling in Hospital lane, Bedworth. There was some info about the event at the recent exhibition in Bedworth at the Heritage centre. This has cropped up in discussions on our forum before, I believe.

Link for the 1949 Exhall air crash details.

I know where there is film of it

Here is the exact spot opposite The Royal Oak Pub on Royal Oak Lane heading from Coventry just before you go over the M6

Hi, I also remember the 2 planes crashing, I must have been 9.1/2 and was going home up the jetty when I saw them crash, ran home to tell mum, but no one believed me, until it was in the paper the next day. We lived in Parkstone Road not that far away. Marg

The collision was between an Anson trainer and a Dakota. There were not many planes in the sky at that time, unlike the wartime when the skies were full of them, myself and a mate were watching the Dakota through a telescope he just had for his birthday when they collided. They came down about a mile away from where we lived in Holbrooks and we got to the crash site before the emergency services arrived. I was twelve, and had lived throughout the war, but the sight of the carnage on that day will never be forgotten

On the Anson, pilot or navigation instructor S/Ldr. Anthony Ronald Rush, 2nd pilot Kazimierz Suwala, signaller George C. Tillian, pupil navigator Cadet John S. Mackison were all killed. Ten people died on the Dakota: captain Sidney McDermott, first officer Geoffrey D. Kershaw, radio officer George W. Stamper, steward John A.T. Smith, Eric M. Cairns, Frank Hauerslev, Pietrangelo Coia, Mr & Mrs Joseph E. Michaels and Henry C. Aitken.