Kennard Haase was one of the pilots aboard a Vincent that had flown from RNZAF Woodbourne to Ohakea, refuelled and set off for the return trip to Woodbourne. While flying low along the Manawatu river, they struck power lines, shearing a wing and crashing into the river. An onlooker, Maurice Parsons, dived in to the water and rescued pilot LAC W Holmes. Parsons was later awarded the NZ Humane Society’s Bronze medal for bravery. Kennard’s remains were found later by an RNZAF salvage crew.

[For Your Tomorrow, Errol Martyn, Volume 1, Page 106]