CSA Flight 523 Memorial
June 27, 2015
Czechoslovakian Airline Flight 523 crashed shortly after take off from Gander Airport on September 5, 1967. There were 69 people on board. 35 died. 34 survived.
The GAHS decided that a memorial should be erected to commemorate and remember those that died, those that survived and to those that assisted the survivors. The Gander International Airport Authority advised they would assist us by preparing an appropriate site to place the memorial.
This web page will document the construction, site preparation and unveiling of this memorial.
The plaque was designed by Morgan MacDonald and constructed by Newfoundland Bronze Foundry. It measured 76cm X 76cm.
Brian Hicks and Stephen Burbridge, under the authority of GIAA CEO & President Reg Wright, supervised the construction of the memorial site. The location was to be at the actual site where CSA 523 crashed into the wet marshy bog land, along side of an old railway bed now converted into an ATV trailway. The distance to the memorial from the road along the trailway is 1.5 KM on an excellent surface for walking.
The GAHS would like to thank the airport workers for the effort they put into this project. They are;
- Jason Timmons
- Pete Kearley
- Joe Hunt
- Mike Foley
- Greg Dywer
- Colin Pope
- Chris Byrne
The boulder used to host the plaque was found in the most unique and appropriate area. It was located on the departure path of R13. The very runway used by the last flight of CSA 523. The plaque was installed on the boulder by Bill Brake of Parks Canada.
The GIAA provided transportation to the memorial site for the unveiling ceremony. The ceremony was performed by the Very Reverend Dr. Marion Pardy, one of the GAHS Board members. Jack Pinsent was the master of ceremonies.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 50 people including special guests, one of the survivors, Dr. Alena Zimova, her son Ondrej and her son in-law Dr. Alistair Ingram.
Special mention was made during the ceremony of;
- The late Austin Garrett, a helicopter pilot who flew out survivors that required immediate medical care, was awarded the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry by Queen Elizabeth II.
- Captain (Nursing Sister) Josephine Cashin of the Royal Canadian Army Corps, a first responder at the accident scene. As a nurse, her actions led to the survival of those in dire need of immediate medical assistance, was also awarded the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry by Queen Elizabeth II.
- The late Dr. Melvin Coxon, Chief Medical Officer at JPM, who coordinated with his staff, the emergency care of the survivors in an unrehearsed, instinctive and successful manner.
Also honoured were hospital staff, airport rescue staff, airport staff, airline staff and other civilians that had assisted the survivors on September 5, 1967.
Representatives from the Town Council of Gander, Canadian Forces, MP Scott Simms and Parks Canada, were in attendance.
In 1989 Czechoslovakia separated into two countries becoming the Czech & Slovakia Republics. Planning the ceremony, both countries were invited to participate. Because of prior commitments both ambassadors were unable to attend but did send letters to be read at this ceremony.
After the ceremony had completed the Gander International Airport Authority hosted a social at the International Lounge for all those attending to meet with Alena's Zimova and her family.
-0-
Editors note: the slide show is automatic but is interactive and can be controlled with your mouse. The show may be paused, moved in either direction and/or restarted.
