Isle of Wight residents are invited to attend the 60th anniversary of a tragic air accident on St Boniface Down, Ventnor on Friday 6th May.
On 6th May 1962, Channel Airways Dakota G-AGZB had been attempting an approach to Portsmouth Airport in almost zero visibility conditions, having left the Channel Islands, when it crashed into the summit of St Boniface Down in Ventnor.
The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. Both pilots and 8 passengers were killed instantly. A stewardess and another passenger subsequently died of their injuries and 5 passengers were seriously injured.
A small group will be present on site on 6th May from around 14:00 onwards to commemorate this sad event, together with a beautiful scale model of the actual aircraft, which will then be donated to the IW Aviation Museum at Sandown Airport.
Some of the deceased and survivors’ families, the rescuers and locals involved on the day are expected to attend. Also expected at the commemoration will be John Langley, former site radar engineer who joined the facility in 1964 and is still an Isle of Wight resident.
A full account of of the tragic events of 6th May 1962 can be found at the following website.
My dad was one of the fireman from who attended this incident , he used to tell of the tragic circumstances .
He never forgot the traumatic incident
Mine too was one of the fireman and he clearly was affected by the tragic event.
Where is this I’m in St Lawrence
The road up to the down is directly opposite the cemetery in upper Ventnor. There is a small memorial in the parking area next to the old radar station.
Be aware though that the road is steep, narrow and a bit twisty at times.