N.S.W. TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1929, Page 6

N.S.W. TRAGEDY

SENS ATI OX A L FEATUR MS. (Australian Press Association). SYDNEY, Feb. 4. There was sensational evidence at the Coroner's inquiry to-day into the death of Allred Smith, the orchardist. who was killed by an aeroplane at Windsor on Jnmmry 21. The evidence was that aeroplanes from the Richmond Aerodrome had often down only twelve to fifteen feet above the heads of the fruit pickers in the Windsor and Richmond districts. Sarah Woods, a local resident, sad she saw Somerville’s aeroplane fly ten feet over the deceased’s head just prior to the accident. The deceased took off his hat and waved it to the airman. On the second occasion, however. the machine swooped down and killed him. Malcolm Smith. 18-year-old son of the deceased, said that he did not actually see his father killed, but lie saw the aeroplane touch the ground and hurst into flames. Somerville some time ago had told him thai certain airmen were in the habit of (lying low over the Chinese gardens “to scare the Chows.” The inquest was unfinished. THE AIRMAN TO STAND TRIAL. SYDNEY. Feb. 4. The verdict Of the aeroplane enquiry was that the Coroner committed the airman Somerville for trial on a charge of feloniously slaying Smith.