S. Africa Plane Crash Kills 13 Top Jockeys, 10 Others
The pilot of an old DC-3 aircraft reported fire on board before the plane smashed into a field, killing 13 top South Africa jockeys and 10 trainers and horse racing officials, an official said today.
The twin-engined aircraft was taking the racing officials to a race meeting near Johannesburg when it crashed overnight near the railroad town of Henneman, 155 miles southwest of here.
Bodies and wreckage, including the jockeys’ riding equipment, were strewn over a wide area. Witnesses said the gruesome scene was lit by burning corn set afire by the crash and a subsequent explosion.
The race meeting at Newmarket where they had been due to ride today was canceled and will be held later as a benefit for the bereaved families.
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