This Day in History: 1950-12-30

At Maroochydore beach three children were killed and fourteen others were seriously injured when CAC Wirraway A20-212 of No. 23 Squadron RAAF crashed during a shark patrol on 30 December 1950. The aircraft had been circling between Maroochydore and Alexandra Headland when it suddenly banked steeply and crashed onto the crowded beach in front of the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club. The pilot and his observer survived the impact of the crash. Source: National Archives of Australia