Body of Airman found in tree on Kokoda Track

[Jean-Loup]

I know the Us parachute canopies were made of nylon, so maybe the shroud line too? These could stay in exelent condition over the years.
But once again, I think there isnt a chance that that shape is a body.

JL

[colin davie]

Maybe he's still alive and just been picking and eating bananas all these years. Did anyone actually shout up to him?
C

[paddywhack]

Maybe he's still alive and just been picking and eating bananas all these years. Did anyone actually shout up to him?
C

aaahhh now thats just being silly!!!!!!! how would have survived with a beer!?????

[VonLuck]

There might still be some remains in an old flight suit. But having a dead body survive uneaten in the jungle is akin to an old donut going to the trash at a police station....

[Seigfried]

This 'story' is now a week old and nothing further has been reported. Has anybody in the Far East heard anything else? I would have thought that a find like this would have received more publicity and been examined more closely to determine whether it is a body at all.

[Jean-Loup]

IMO, they will go and see the thing, see it is not a body, and we will never hear about it because that "news" wont be newsworthy.

JL

[Jono]

Apparently its in a not so easy to reach spot, so a team will have to do a bit of a trek to get there. Will take a little while

[Time Bandit]

Another link about this...

[chippler]

it's official: it's a branch

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599...-29277,00.html



AN Australian trekking party's hopes of having found remains of a World War II airman hanging from a tree on the Kokoda Track have been dashed – in fact they discovered a moss-covered branch.

Australian Defence Force staff from the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby today reached the isolated site in Papua New Guinea to check on the sighting, but found no human remains.

"While the location near Kagi is below a flight path that was commonly used by allied aircraft during WWII sorties, the find has been confirmed by ADF staff as a moss-covered branch," Defence said tonight.

"It appears the branch has broken off the main tree and fallen across some vines which, from the ground, could have been confused with the body of an airman."

The find last month – by a Victorian police officer who was photographing flowers – had sparked hope of closure for a family somewhere in Australia, Japan or the United States.

Guide David Collins, from the Australian company No Roads Expeditions, was leading a trek when the suspected human remains were discovered.

"We had a few police officers on the 19-man trek. One was taking photos with a large lens of the trees and flowers," he said last week.

"He then discovered what looks like the remains of a body.

"I couldn't make it out at first. It wasn't until the wind blew that you could really see it is in a harness. There are goggles and it appears to be caught up in cables, so presumably it is an airman."

Mr Collins said the supposed remains were found in the jungle canopy at the top of the Owen Stanley Range, almost halfway along the 96km track.

[Bill Gaynor]

Oh Well, would have been one hell of a story to follow, probably a few people who had family members lost in that area who it gave hope to .

[Mark Gibson]

A branch...after all that.
Thanks Chris

[Shawn Hall]

That's too bad.

[Paul McKee]

Like they say: If it sounds too good (or interesting) to be true...

Paul

[Jos L C]

Well, if you take one of the pics and make it a B&W negative..



Jos.

[Jos L C]

SCARY..

Jos.