Coroner rules Spitfire death was an accident – 76 years after crash

A distinguished RAF pilot died accidentally when his Spitfire and another crashed in mid-air during a training exercise, a coroner has found.

Squadron Leader Daniel Cremin, 25, of 66 Squadron in Portreath, was killed while testing new Spitfire planes over Cornwall on March 24 in 1942.

His family were sent a sealed coffin purportedly carrying his remains and he was buried at Wardour Roman Catholic Cemetery in Tisbury, Wiltshire.

But in June last year, metal detectorist Stuart Palmer discovered the Australian pilot’s bones after digging down four feet at the crash site near St Erth, Hayle.

Mr Palmer called Devon and Cornwall Police, who worked with the Ministry of Defence and local archaeologists to recover the remains.

They were confirmed as those of Sqn Ldr Cremin following DNA testing with his son Mark, now 78.

A second service was arranged at the Wiltshire cemetery and Sqn Ldr Cremin’s remains were interred in his original grave with military honours in November.

Barrie van den Berg, assistant coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, described the inquest as “very interesting” and “unusual”.

“Daniel Edward Cremin died as a result of a mid-air collision with another Spitfire,” the coroner said.

“The death occurred at Frythens Farm, St Erth, and his remains were only discovered 70-odd years later.

“The inquiry into his death makes it clear that the cause of death is an accident and the inquest is going to record that.”

Sqn Ldr Daniel Cremin.