THE dramatic story of a fatal mid-air collision near Canvey between two wartime American bombers will be told by a new information board.

The board will include accounts from eyewitnesses and survivors of the day two B-17G Flying Fortresses collided over the Thames, one of them crashing at Canvey Point.

Canvey Community Archive plans to site the board on the land side of the seawall at the bottom of Beveland Road.

Islander Janet Penn, editor of the archive, said: “There’s a memorial to the incident on the island’s war memorial but there’s nothing at Canvey Point to say what happened.

“The archive on Canvey has been working with survivors and enthusiasts for many, many years. We felt, really and truly, there should be something at the Point to tell the story.”

The 379th Bomber Group was returning to its base in Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire after a raid in France on June 19, 1944, when disaster struck.

Two bombers collided over the Thames, killing 11 crew members.

Stan Pierce, who witnessed the crash as a young boy on Canvey, said: “As I stood gazing, right above my head, one bomber fell on top of another.

“There was no explosive sound, but a crunch and a screeching, tearing noise.

“I was stunned, a wing floated away. There was a lot of black smoke.

“One plane fell away, and bits fell off.

“I have no further memory of it, but the other plane had a more lasting effect. It tipped over, and the nose was looking at me.”

The first plane crashed into the Thames on the Kent side, while the other B17, Heavenly Body II crashed near Canvey Point.

Resident John Pharro has suggested the area near Beveland Road should be named in memory of the aircraft.

However, the archive group decided to go a step further and is working with the Bay Museum, Castle Point Council and veteran councillor Ray Howard to organise the information board.

The group still needs about £1,000 to pay for the board and would like to have it up by the 71st anniversary of the crash, this June.

Andrew Smith, projects officer for the council, said: “We have been working with councillor Ray Howard and archive staff to agree a suitable location overlooking the site where the B17 crashed.

“We have liaised with the archive about the design and type of board, because it records an important piece of Castle Point history.

“We hope the board will be enjoyed by the many walkers and other people who come to Canvey Island to enjoy the fresh air and views across the river.”