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Service in memory of air disaster Service in memory of air disaster
(about 2 hours later)
A special service has taken place to remember the victims and survivors of the Stockport Air Disaster. A special service has taken place to remember the victims and survivors of the Stockport air disaster.
Seventy-two passengers and crew were killed when a plane, suffering a fuel problem, ploughed into land in Stockport town centre in 1967.Seventy-two passengers and crew were killed when a plane, suffering a fuel problem, ploughed into land in Stockport town centre in 1967.
The service was held at the crash site at Hopes Carr, where survivors, rescuers, relatives and councillors paid tribute to those who died.The service was held at the crash site at Hopes Carr, where survivors, rescuers, relatives and councillors paid tribute to those who died.
A rose tree was planted at the site followed by a minute's silence.A rose tree was planted at the site followed by a minute's silence.
The next thing I remember were flames coming from the cockpit towards me Vivienne Thornber, crash survivorThe next thing I remember were flames coming from the cockpit towards me Vivienne Thornber, crash survivor
Disaster struck just after 1000 BST on Sunday 4 June when a British Midlands flight returning from Majorca suffered a problem with fuel and began to fail.Disaster struck just after 1000 BST on Sunday 4 June when a British Midlands flight returning from Majorca suffered a problem with fuel and began to fail.
The pilot managed to bring the plane down on a patch of wasteland in Stockport town centre, avoiding a petrol station and a block of flats.The pilot managed to bring the plane down on a patch of wasteland in Stockport town centre, avoiding a petrol station and a block of flats.
Vivienne Thornber was one of the 12 survivors and remembered what happened. Vivienne Thornber, who was one of the 12 survivors, recalled what happened.
She said: "I remember it just dropping like a stone. The next thing I remember were flames coming from the cockpit towards me, which made me scream.She said: "I remember it just dropping like a stone. The next thing I remember were flames coming from the cockpit towards me, which made me scream.
"Then somebody had their hands under my arms and was trying to pull me out and I was screaming that my legs were trapped."Then somebody had their hands under my arms and was trying to pull me out and I was screaming that my legs were trapped.
"I lost all consciousness until I woke up and was in Stockport Infirmary.""I lost all consciousness until I woke up and was in Stockport Infirmary."
'Hero''Hero'
She was rescued by the late PC Bill Oliver, who was first on the crash scene. She was rescued by the late Pc Bill Oliver, who was first on the crash scene.
He pulled two women to safety as the plane became an inferno and helped rescue the other 10 survivors.He pulled two women to safety as the plane became an inferno and helped rescue the other 10 survivors.
Stockport Mayor, Councillor June Somekh, said: "It marks a dark day in Stockport's history. Stockport mayor, Councillor June Somekh, said: "It marks a dark day in Stockport's history.
"So many people suffered terrible loss and the memories live on 40 years later."So many people suffered terrible loss and the memories live on 40 years later.
"The ceremony was time for everyone to reflect and remember those people who lost their lives in the crash and those who fought so heroically to rescue them.""The ceremony was time for everyone to reflect and remember those people who lost their lives in the crash and those who fought so heroically to rescue them."