WRECKAGE BEING SALVAGED.




Initials RGH/VS/BOB-MGT/OS



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Background: SURVIVORS SCRAMBLED THROUGH A GAPING HOLE IN THE FUSELAGE OF A SINKING AIRLINER YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) SECONDS AFTER IT CRASHED INTO HONG KONG HARBOUR. FIFTH-SIX OF THE EIGHTY PEOPLE ON BOARD ESCAPED.

THE CARAVELLE JET OF THAI INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS SLICED INTO THE FOG-SHROUDED HARBOUR AS IT WENT IN TO LAND AT THE KAI TAK AIRPORT, WHICH JUST INTO THE WATER FROM KOWLOON, THE MAINLAND PART OF THE BRITISH COLONY.

THE JET HIT THE WATER 300 YARDS (METRES) SHORT OF THE RUNAWAY AND MINUTES LATER, RESCUE BOATS AND HELICOPTERS WERE RACING TO THE SCENE.

THE FUSELAGE WAS ALREADY BELOW THE WATER SURFACE, BUT THE TAIL POINTED GROTESQUELY OUT.

THE 73 PASSENGERS INCLUDED SIX CHILDREN AND A BABY, WHO ALL LIVED. THE AIRCRAFT'S CREW OF SEVEN, INCLUDING THE DANISH CAPTAIN, ALL ESCAPED WITHOUT SERIOUS INJURY EXCEPT FOR A JAPANESE STEWARDESS WHO BROKE HER LEG.

AIRLINE OFFICIALS SAID THAT APART FROM FORTY AMERICAN TOURISTS, WHO BOARDED THE FLIGHT IN TAIPEI, THE PASSENGERS WERE MOSTLY CHINESE.

THE CARAVELLE WAS MAKING AN INSTRUMENT LANDING APPROACH AT THE RUNAWAY, WHICH JUTS OUT ABOUT 8,000 FEET (2,400 METRES) ON A MAN-MADE PROMONTORY INTO HONG KONG HARBOUR.