A plane crash happened. The good news was that there were no fatalities and the pilot survived.
In the news clips that follow, reporters provide very different takes on the misadventure of a young sailor on leave, 22-year-old Peter Gill, who crash-landed into Calaveras Reservoir on January 30, 1960. No doubt that there was plenty of interest in the story among Water Department executives.
The young man survived and was able to share his story. The San Jose Mercury News reporter gives lots of details, like the Naval assignment of the hapless aviator, the local job he had held, specifics about the accident, even a nod to the Sunol Water Works. And even more, like info about his rescuers and the plane.
The Examiner reporter’s coverage was short and to-the-point, and obviously did not draw such a vivid picture as the Mercury New reporter had done. The Oakland Tribune also reported on the incident – and that clipping in the SFPUC’s archives, unfortunately, is damaged. Stylistically unique as well, the Tribune’s article included an actual photo of Mr. Gill.
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