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21st December 1994.
The day started as a normal day for me rising
before nine. I had plenty of time before my shift started, so I
showered and dressed, and went down stairs.
My father was up already, and busy with Christmas
preparations, He had his usual radio two programme on. So i made
some tea, and sat down to a bowl of cereal.
Suddenly the radio went dead, followed by a
silence which was interrupted by the sound of aeroplane engines.
The sound of the engines triggered alarm bells with me, and i
went outside to investigate. At the same time my neighbour
Ronald Bullock came outside also carrying his daughter. We both
looked at each other knowing that all was not well. As i looked
left i saw smoke rising from behind the bottom flats, i shouted
to Ron who replied that he would be right with me. He took his
daughter back in, and i started running towards the woods. I had
lived in this area most of my life, and was familiar with the
woods. taking the most direct path I ran passed trees, and
bushes, and then one of the engines of the plane.
I then came to site where the plane had come
down. There was a huge fire consuming the front to mid section
of the air craft. The smell of aviation fuel was overpowering,
and there were several explosions. I couldn't make out the
cockpit so i looked to see if the cockpit was in a seperate
section, but couldn't find it. So i returned back to the
wreckage pausing for a second to observe the situation.
There were fires scattered all over some a few
feet high, and tiny ones like little candles scattered over the
entire site. At this point i heard other voices shouting Robert
Clarke, and Ronald Bullock who had joined in the search.
I then made my way to a open door in the
fuseilage. Avoiding the fires i jumped on to one of the wings in
the tail section, and into the open door. I shouted but there
was no replies. At this point i was having difficulty breathing
so i with drew to a safer distance knowing that we could do no
more. The fire brigade arrived soon after.
Alex McNeill.
18.11.08
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