Victim of the crash was John Flannery, 25, married and the father of three children. Peter McKinney, also of Fort Fairfield, owner of the ill-fated light, cub plane and Flannery's companion on the flight, is a patient at the Cary Memorial hospital in Caribou, where hospital authorities said today that his condition was "only fair" He is suffering, according to Dr. John R, Merrick, compound fractures of both legs, a fracture of the right collar-bone, a concussion and a laceration of the head.
According to the story told last evening to a NEWS representative here, a crowd had gathered at the residence of Harold Bragdon for the wedding of Bragdon's daughter, Beth Marie, to James Riley of Tennessee, when a light plane was observed flying at low altitude over the Bragdon residence and that of Charles McIntyre, almost directly across the road. McIntyre's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wilbur McIntyre is a sister of Flannery.
The plane circled on Bragdon's land, passed momentarily from sight but gave no evidence that it was in distress. Suddenly the crowd became aware of the fact that the motor had stalled within a split second there was a terrific crash.
Bragdon, the McIntyres and several others rushed down a small grade on the Bragdon farm and found the plane with its two occupants.
Flannery, seated in front, was obviously fatally injured and died before any aid could reach him. McKinney was rushed to the hospital in Caribou.
Flannery, according to friends, was trying to build up enough flying time to qualify for a private license and had nearly reached his goal. McKinney, owner of the plane, took a medical examination in Presque Isle only yesterday seeking a commercial license.
The impact of the crash was so great that it practically demolished the front of the ship and portions of the cockpit were scattered over an area of several yards.
To Mrs. McIntyre went the unpleasant task of informing the rest of her family of her brother's death.
Funeral services for Flannery will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Bethel Baptist church in Fort Fairfield the Rev. A. W. Maxell of Bangor officiating.
REMAINS OF CRASHED PLANE -- The pilot was instantly killed and another man was critically injured in the crash of a light pane, above, at Perham, several miles from Caribou, as the pilot's sister watched horrified from the ground below.