Gisborne was a heavy loser when a National Airways Corporation Douglas DC3, flying from Auckland in heavy weather, crashed into the rugged Kaimai ranges near Tauranga with the loss of all 23 people aboard. Among those lost was Mr Fred Tolerton, familiarly known as "Tolly" to most people in Gisborne, a man who had given a lifetime of service to the community, and well-known as the former manager of the freezing works here. Mrs Tolerton was also aboard. Another was Mr Huia Boddington, a member of the Power Board, and a prominent electrical contractor, and Mrs Boddington.

At 9:09am on 3 July 1963 23 people died in what remains New Zealand's worst internal aviation disaster. As a National Airways Corporation DC-3 plane began its descent towards Tauranga in poor weather it was suddenly caught in severe turbulence and slammed into a ridge on the Kaimai Range, killing all on board.
Frederick Tolerton. Aged 81, Fred was the husband of Ruth. He was a former Gisborne City Councillor and Deputy Mayor.
Headstone: Tolerton - In loving memory of Ruth and Frederick, Kaimai Air Disaster, 3 July 1963.