Burgoynes Cove, NF (near) Bomber Crash, Mar 1953

"NO SURVIVORS SIGHTED" AT SCENE OF B-36 CRACKUP.

23 MEN, INCLUDING BRIG. GEN. ELLSWORTH, BELIEVED DEAD IN NEWFOUNDLAND CRASH.

St. John's, Nfld., March 19 (UP) -- A medical team which reached the wreckage of an American B-36
atomic bomber on an upcoast island late last night reported "no survivors sighted," the northest air command announced today. The giant plane carried 23 men, including a U.S. Air Force general.
The medical team moved overland from nearby Fort Pepperell Air Base to the crash scene on bleak Random Island and radioed the terse report at 9:30 p.m. EST, command spokesmen said. The team decided to await daylight before making a further search and had not reported further as of 8:30 a.m. EST, today.
Fishermen who were first to reach the bomber late yesterday reported they had recovered seven bodies. The medical team did not report whether any more had been located.
"It was too dark for the team to make a thorough search of the area," a northeast command spokesman said. "It's rugged country and we have no idea when the men will be able to make a complete report."
A spokesman said the command had received "a strictly unofficial report" that the B-36 had exploded. He refused to elaborate when asked whether the reported explosion occurred in flight or when the plane crashed.
Air Force spokesmen at Rapid City, S.D., where the plane was based, early today released the names of 18 of the men aboard the bomber and said they were considered "missing."
The public information officer at the Rapid City base said one of the passengers aboard the bomber was Brig. Gen. RICHARD E. ELLSWORTH 41, commanding officer at the base. The ship was
from the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance wing based at Rapid City and was en route home from Lages Air Force Base in the Azores on a routine training mission.
Air Force officials said a full list of those aboard the bomber would be released after relatives are notified, probably late today or tomorrow. The pilot was identified as Capt. JACOB PRUETT, JR., whose wife lives at Rapid City.
The $3,500,000 bomber crashed near Trinity Bay on the east coast of Newfouland after reporting by radio that two engines had failed.A B-36 is built with six engines, although some models in addition have four auxiliary jet engines.
The Royal Canadian air force sent two rescue experts to parachute to the crash scene near the fishing village of Burgoynes Cove. Three ground parties also were dispatched.

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