Farmer remembers devastating RAF air crash on his land 55 years on
A farmer who was first on the scene of a disastrous RAF crash in 1970 has spoken of his ongoing acts of remembrance to honour the four people who died.
On November 20 1970, a Westland Whirlwind RAF Search and Rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield exploded in mid air after losing control in foggy conditions.
The craft landed at Grazing Nook Farm near Bedale, where Peter Fall, then 23, was first on the scene alongside his brother John and four farmworkers.
The scenes still have an impact on Mr Fall some 55 years later, he said.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Mr Fall, now 78, said: “There was thick fog, and the visibility was non existent.
“My brother was first to hear a loud crack - not a bang, but a crack. Then there was a siren sound like an engine, and a tremendous whirling sound.
“We knew something bad had happened. My brother dialled 999 and the six of us went down to the scene, but we weren’t prepared for what we’d find.
“As we got there, it was absolute carnage, the wreckage. It was bright yellow, as it was an RAF rescue helicopter. There were fragments all over our meadow.
“I am afraid it really wasn’t a nice sight.
“Unfortunately, there were four fatalities. The pilot and the co-pilot were still strapped in their seats and the other two had been thrown out.
“There was no movement, no fire. Just a deathly silence. They had all perished. It was just devastation, was the scene.
The four people who died were Captain John Horton Balser, navigator Brian Sterland, Flight Sergeant Charles Peter Ford and Pilot Officer Helen Susan McLaren.
All five of the other men who were first on the scene of the devastating crash have since died, leaving Mr Fall as the sole surviving witness.
Five years ago, Mr Fall decided to begin a new tradition of laying a wreath at the wreckage site every year.
He said: “My wife Barbara makes it from flowers in the garden. I then go down with the wreath and lay it, which I’ve done every year religiously.
“I started in earnest on the 50th anniversary in 2020. I was contacted by the pilot’s family in Canada, and Ms McLaren’s family.
“I know some of the families thought it would be nice to have a permanent memorial.
“I’m very proud that I do this act of remembrance. It isn’t for me. I do it because of the relations and the people working there at the time. I’m so proud, they’ve told me it means so much to them that Barbara and I do this every year. We hope it gives them great comfort too.
“It’s a very emotional thing to do. I will do it as long as I am able to do so. I will never forget.”
Other members of the community also shared their memories of the crash with Mr Fall after he posted a photograph of himself laying the wreath on Facebook.
Ellen Orton wrote: “I remember that sad day, all the lost lives, but for me especially Helen, she was an amazing officer and beautiful lady.
Dave Westall said: “I still remember the atmosphere on the station when the news broke.”