Wells, and Cromer, Norfolk. At 10.48 on the morning of the 31st of December, 1959, the coastguard told the motor mechanic of the Wells life- boat that an aircraft had crashed into the sea off South Race Bank buoy. At eleven o'clock the Wells life-boat Cecil Paine left her boathouse. There was a strong south-westerly wind and a moderate sea. The tide was half ebb.

The life-boat searched the area, but found nothing and returned to her station at 6.15. In the meantime the coastguard had informed the coxswain of the Cromer no. 1 life-boat Henry Blogg that the Wells life-boat had launched, and at 11.12 the coxswain was asked if he would launch to meet the motor vessel Broughty, of Dundee, which wanted to land an airman's body which she had picked up. At 12.3 the Cromer no. 1 life-boat Henry Blogg put out with a doctor on board. She met the Broughty off Sheringham, and after the doctor had examined the body it was taken on board the life- boat and landed at Cromer at 1.30.

Rewards to the crew : Cromer, £11 5s.; Wells, £17 10s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore : Cromer, £6 12s. ; Wells, £14 15s..