BUDDY HOLLY - RICHARDSON 'DIED INSTANTLY' FROM 1959 PLANE CRASH

Late rocker J.P. 'THE BIG BOPPER' RICHARDSON died instantly from the injuries he sustained in the 1959 plane crash which killed BUDDY HOLLY and RITCHIE VALENS, an expert has revealed. Since the tragic accident, it has been claimed Richardson survived the Iowa crash - referred to in DON MCLEAN's song AMERICAN PIE - but perished while trying to find help. However, veteran forensic expert DR BILL BASS has examined Richardson's exhumed remains in Beaumont, Texas, after a request from the singer's son JAY RICHARDSON. Bass says, "There was no indication of foul play. There are fractures from head to toe. Massive fractures. (He) died immediately. He didn't crawl away. He didn't walk away from the plane." Jay Richardson adds, "I was hoping to put the rumours to rest." Reports of a gun shot being fired on board the aircraft have added to speculation as to why the plane crashed, but an investigation by the Civil Aeronautics Board following the 1959 incident determined pilot error was the cause.