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Post by Brett on Oct 3, 2016 7:16:23 GMT 12
The former RNZAF P-51 (NZ2427) owned and rebuilt by Maurice Hammond in the UK has crashed, killing the passenger. Maurice is in serious condition in hospital.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 3, 2016 7:27:02 GMT 12
So, so sad.  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2016 7:51:16 GMT 12
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Post by agalbraith on Oct 3, 2016 9:48:10 GMT 12
OH Nooo...... I am lost for words right now
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Post by baz62 on Oct 3, 2016 12:44:16 GMT 12
Oh that's awful. Hope Maurice pulls through. Condolences to the passenger's family |
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Post by joey05 on Oct 3, 2016 18:40:06 GMT 12
Always sad to hear of a loss of and aircraft, especially one with so much NZ history. Even worse to hear of loss of life, condolences to his family, but perhaps he passed living a dream.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2016 11:15:48 GMT 12
Facebook posts from Plane Resurrection's Nik Coleman say Maurice is being well-looked after in hospital with family nearby. Apparently one of the radio stations had ARCo's John Romain on for an interview about the crash and, according to posts at the Key Publishing Forum, it was a good interview.
I don't believe the passenger has been publicly identified as yet. An awful thing.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 6, 2016 9:15:34 GMT 12
This was posted by Nik Coleman on Facebook 3 hours ago:
"Maurice Hammond Update 6pm Wednesday.
The following information is based on advice from NNUH Medical Staff and approved by the Hammond Family.
We are pleased to report that Maurice is now in aftercare having undergone a surgical procedure today to strengthen and protect his spinal cord, neck upwards. This was a planned procedure by the staff at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital as part of the overall recovery programme for him.
We are informed by medical staff that the surgery, whilst complex, is a normal procedure in collision cases where the patient was wearing a helmet and has suffered neck tissue and ligament trauma.
It is important to note his spinal cord is wholly unaffected. His CT scans give no reason for concern.
The family are encouraged by the fact that his medical team considered Maurice strong enough to undergo this procedure, and they are of course indebted to all operating at NNUH.
Sedation was reduced at one point yesterday for assessment purposes and Maurice reacted positively, opened his eyes and demonstrated reflex reactions.
I am with members of the family and I can tell you that given the circumstances they remain strong and optimistic.
The family and the Hardwick team continue to express their condolances to all involved and hold them in their thoughts.
Next update tomorrow evening and will continue to update here. #hammondstrong "
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Post by Mustang51 on Oct 6, 2016 9:23:02 GMT 12
That is great news. His family must at least be comforted by that. My condolences to the family of his passenger.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2016 10:27:13 GMT 12
Good news. Thanks for sharing the update, Dave.
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Post by baz62 on Oct 6, 2016 17:38:07 GMT 12
Thank goodness. We can't lose the calibre of men like Maurice too soon.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Oct 6, 2016 20:38:12 GMT 12
Glad he was wearing his bone dome, sounds like it did it's job. I am surmising the passenger wasn't wearing one?
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Post by Mustang51 on Oct 7, 2016 7:59:52 GMT 12
Pax rarely wear a bone-dome and generally only if they have an 'interest' in the aircraft. I'm guilty of this even though I have one. Sometimes you get an offer and you do not have it there but I would prefer to wear one.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 7, 2016 9:20:53 GMT 12
Posted eleven hours ago by Nik Coleman on Facebook:
"Good morning everyone. Maurice Hammond Update. He's had a comfortable night, has had family visitors today, he is still sedated. Progress 'as expected' at this stage.
Accredited Media Outlets: We have family approved pre-incident images of Maurice and aircraft available to avoid any possible copyright issues. Please contact nik@nikcoleman.com for dropbox link.
Out thoughts continue to be with all affected by this and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support.
#hammondstrong"
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 7, 2016 9:40:31 GMT 12
Posted three hours ago by Nik Coleman on Facebook:
"Good evening everyone. Maurice Hammond update at 7pm.
Firstly I want to say we've been in touch with representatives of the passenger today and we've been able to pass on our thoughts and deep condolences to them, and they have expressed their concern and best wishes for Maurice and the Hammond Family.
Maurice had a comfortable night, and today has been moved to a different section of ITU in line with his recovery, freeing his previous room for more critical cases.
Obviously he is in 'double' recovery - from his injuries and the surgery, but today staff have once again moderated his sedation - for an extended period - and I am told he's been able to open his eyes as a reaction to some sensory input like touching his hand.
NNUH are offcially 'pleased with his progress'. The outstanding ITU team have also had the opportunity to wash his face as the visible effects of the incident and surgery reduce a little, and that's proven a real encouragement for the family.
From here on in we may reduce the frequency of these updates as we are likely to be reporting the same incremental progress, but rest assured we will keep you abreast of all major improvements in Maurices condition.
We want to thank all of you - each and every one for your support, including the media, photographers and journalists who have shown the utmost respect, restraint and desire for accuracy during this difficult time.
My thanks, Nik Coleman"
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Post by harvard1041 on Oct 7, 2016 11:32:25 GMT 12
Real sad deal with Maurice's crash - super nice guy - and we're all hoping he'll pull thru... Photo - bad one sorry - from my last visit - last month.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 18, 2016 7:51:11 GMT 12
Here is the latest news...
"The pilot who was seriously injured when his plane crashed near Bungay, killing the passenger, is now speaking to his family after undergoing surgery last week.
Engineer Maurice Hammond, from Eye, had been flying one of his two Mustang planes when the crash happened close to the former RAF Hardwick airfield on Sunday, October 2.
After the crash he was treated at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the 58-year-old is said to be making “significant progress”.
In a statement released by Nik Coleman, a family friend of the Hammonds and who is acting as a spokesman for them, he said Mr Hammond still has a long way to go with his recovery.
Mr Coleman said: “Maurice has made some significant progress. Most importantly he’s speaking, talking with family and his memory is returning to normal as the drug and trauma effects fade. He’s bravely taking very little pain medication.
“He is of course, and he won’t mind me saying this, still very beaten up as you’d expect from being in a major vehicle accident. We want to be clear that he’s physically got a great deal of recovery to do, but the prospects now look pretty good.
“He’s working hard on breathing exercises and other rehab concurrent with his injuries. He’s been able to sit in a chair for a little while and has been holding regular day-to-day conversation with his family.”
The passenger of the plane, John Marshall, was a farmer and military history enthusiast from Willoughy Waterleys in Leicestershire.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is in the process of trying to determine how the Second World War fighter crashed after taking off from Hardwick airfield.
Mr Coleman added: “We once again wish to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Marshall Family at this time and we are grateful and deeply moved by the concern and best wishes they have expressed for Maurice and his family.
“We also want to say thank you to all of you who continue to support everyone involved. We feel all your love and hope has helped Maurice pull through.”"
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fb6
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 96
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Post by fb6 on Oct 18, 2016 19:50:10 GMT 12
Shocked & deeply saddened at the fatality involved in Maurice's Mustang crash, my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and to Maurice, his Family and his Team & supporters...
I have followed his extensive restoration of our ex-NZ Mustang first via 'Aeroplane' magazine's article and then discovered a whole program devoted to it on Sky a while back. As it has already been stated, Maurice is a man of much calibre in aircraft restoration...
-I have been offline since June due to PC breakdown, my tech has been away overseas for a few weeks, plus I've been in the middle of a major shift - only just got back online on Sunday and then saw this on tonight's news ...!
Regards to All, and by God's Grace & Time be there a healing and recovery to all involved ...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 20, 2016 11:22:36 GMT 12
Here is another update that Nik Coleman has posted on Facebook (I hope Nik does not mind my sharing these here)
"So a Maurice Hammond update this evening. I've been to see him and to my delight and astonishment he looks like Maurice, not a Dr Who baddie.
He's talking, slowly and in pain but is transformed from the way I left him a week ago. Make no mistake, he's heavily battered, still quite ill and receiving medication. He's still very ill by any normal standards.
It's still, and I must reinforce this point, a long slow road, but we are much encouraged by the progress Maurice has made from a grim looking situation 17 days ago to now a very badly injured person on a slow, planned recovery road.
We did, with absolute respect for the seriousness of the accident, manage a slight smile with Maurice at being called a 'TV star' by the press.
Our thoughts remain with all affected by this incident.
Media please note: I am and remain the media contact for the Hammond Family so please feel free to contact me for all enquiries. Under no circumstances should any contact be made with the ITU unit at NNUH who are preoccupied with saving lives.
Cheers, Nik Coleman"
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cafox
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by cafox on May 21, 2017 11:44:16 GMT 12
Is there a way I can send a message directly to Maurice Hammond, rescuer of that P51 featured in a YouTube video? Nothing vital, save for a shared like of 13. Just a small story about watching P51s take off when Tuskegee Airmen were visiting the Santa Monica Airport Museum of Flying a bunch of years back.
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