VIC: Argument may have delayed arrival at crash scene

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-1999
VIC: Argument may have delayed arrival at crash scene

An argument between a Melbourne emergency services dispatcher and an air traffic controller
may have delayed the arrival of ambulances to a plane crash at one of the city's major
airports.

Moorabbin airport manager PHIL MCCONNELL has told ABC radio an air traffic controller
argued with an Intergraph dispatcher for six minutes on Saturday about whether emergency
services should be sent to a crash landing.

Mr MCCONNELL says it took about 15 minutes to get them there, based on the argument
with Intergraph as to whether they should be called out or not.

The Cessna's front landing wheel collapsed on landing, injuring two of the four people on board.

One of the passengers MARGARET SHAW, suffered facial injuries during the crash, and
had to wait on the tarmac for 20 minutes before an ambulance arrived.

An Intergraph spokesman says they are looking into the incident and reviewing tapes
and other material.

AAP RTV ag/smf/jn

KEYWORD: AIRPORT (MELBOURNE)

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