 The aircraft's port wing was almost vertical and with no prospect of recovery he and Broadhurst ejected.The low level made it impossible for Stroud, Eames, Gamble, and Bassett to exit the aircraft and they were killed.In his book "The Hidden Truth" () Maurice Hamlin, a former member of the RAF on duty the day of the crash, claims that Harry Broadhurst ignored three direct orders to divert away from Heathrow due to the poor weather conditions (noting other aircraft had already been diverted).