- Image by FrancoisRoche via Flickr
The North York Moors National Park and the Forestry Commission was joined by The Ministry of Defence in calls to put an end to the macabre and dangerous quest for the remains of a British aircraft.
A mystery crash brought Flying Officer Colin “Snatch” Grabham’s Sabre aircraft down on Hood Hill in 1954.
Collectors with metal detectors have be seen with metal detectors attemping to find either pieces of the historic Sabre aircraft or the crash site.
Military experts told local papers that despite the lack of financial incentive for finding any part of the plane that collectors would value the pretty and very rare finds.
Photographs taken of the crash site in September 1954 show a 20-ton boulder known to locals as The Altar.
Legend states that The Altar was a sacrificial stone used by the druids. It is thought to be marked by a dragon’s or dinosaur’s foot print.
The Ministry of Defence object to the military aircraft collectors being active on the site due to the possible presence of Flying officer Grabham’s body and cold war weapons.
A spokesperson for the MOD told local press, “It is highly likely the remains of Flying Officer Grabham are still on the site and therefore the site should be treated with the respect it deserves.
“In addition, there is a chance that ordnance may remain at the site and it can become unstable when exposed to the air, leading to death or serious injury.
“We would remind people that it is an offence under the Protection of Military Remains Act to tamper with, damage, move or unearth any remains and crashed UK military aircraft and their equipment remain the property of the Crown. Anyone who breaches the act is reminded they could face civil or criminal proceedings.”
In Pure Spirit
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