Two pilots killed in glider collision

The following is the newspaper report following the collision between
the current South African open class champion (John McLachlan) and
national team member (Dieter Hiress). They were killed whilst
participating in the Free State Regional Championships. Our
condolences go to the families of the two pilots so tragically killed
doing what the loved the most.

Clinton Birch
Lak 12


Two pilots were killed in the northern Free State when their gliders
collided on Monday afternoon, police reported.

The men, identified by police Inspector Stephen Thakeng as John
McLachlan, 67, and Dieter Hiress (age unknown) of Welkom, were
participating in a race with three other gliders when the accident
occurred.

Apparently they were flying about 800m above the ground near Kroonstad
preparing to return to Hennenman when they collided. The planes
crashed to the ground. Both pilots were killed, Thakeng said.

He said the Civil Aviation Authority had visited the scene on Tuesday
morning and that an investigation was under way. - Sapa

My sincere condolences to the families of the two pilots killed in the mid-air
in South Africa ealier this week . John was in fact a partner of mine in a
glider in the 1970's. To all my other glider friends and indeed all who soar
please lets be extra vigilant and keep a constant lookout when in the air.
There have been just too many mid-airs in recent times.