Eastbourne, Sussex.—At 9.35 on the morning of the 4th of June, 1955, the coastguard rang up to say that a Sunderland aircraft of the Royal Air Force had crashed when landing half a mile south-east of the life-boathouse.

Ten minutes later the life-boat Beryl Tollemache was launched. The sea was calm, there was a light southerly breeze, and it was one hour before high water. Three helicopters and two R.A.F. launches also put out, and one of the launches rescued ten airmen.

Four men were trapped in the air- craft. The life-boat stood by while unsuccessful attempts were made to reach them, helped to beach the Sunderland, and reached her station again at 12.15. The four men lost their lives.—Rewards to the crew, £7 12s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £14 11s..