Provost Unveils Plaque in Remembrance of Air Crash Victims

South Ayrshire Provost Iain Campbell unveiled a memorial plaque at Prestwick Cross in remembrance of the victims of the Hillside Avenue air crash.

On Monday 28 August 1944, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster from the United States Army Air Forces crashed into Hillside Avenue in Prestwick while attempting to land at Prestwick Airport in poor weather conditions. The crash claimed the lives of six crew members, thirteen servicemen, a nurse travelling on the aircraft, and five civilians. The memorial also includes a commemoration of Mrs Margaret Thom of Glenburn village, who died on 13 March 1941 during the Clydebank Blitz, while visiting her daughter.

The plaque was funded by South Ayrshire Council and arranged by the Prestwick Civic Pride Partnership as part of an ongoing heritage scheme telling Prestwick's story through a number of informative plaques throughout the town.

Provost Campbell is pictured with (left to right) Councillor Ian Cochrane, George Reynolds, Councillor Hugh Hunter, Ian Welsh, Alasdair Malcolm and Councillor Martin Kilbride.