Fri, Sep 14, 2007
Authorities Sorting Out Reports
Talk about adding injury to... well, injury. The family of a
South African pilot whose Tiger Moth crashed into traffic near
Johannesburg this week says they weren't aware their son was
attacked by an angry mob following the crash, until they saw the
news on a website. That leads some to wonder whether the alleged
attack even took place.
Glen Simpson was flying Wednesday with passenger Johan van
Vuuren onboard when the lightweight vintage plane (type shown
above) impacted the road for unknown reasons, striking several
vehicles. Simpson's passenger, and the driver of a taxi struck by
the plane, were killed.
SAPA reports another 23 people were injured in the crash,
including Simpson. But not all his injuries may have come from the
accident.
Reports on a news website implied Simpson was "attacked by angry
commuters... His father Mike told 702 Eyewitness News that angry
commuters started kicking Simpson after the accident, while he was
still strapped to his seat. A witness confirmed that commuters had
attacked the injured pilot."
That was news to Simpson's family, according to SAPA.
Authorities are still sorting out the facts of the alleged
attack.
"We are still investigating the accident and will have to call
in various experts along the way," said Civil Aviation Authority
spokesperson Phindi Gwebu, reports The Star. "But the minimum time
we are looking at until completion is three months."
Meanwhile, Simpson is said to be recovering in a local
hospital... doing well but still in pain, according to a hospital
worker.
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