CHANNEL DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1929, Page 5

CHANNEL DISASTER

INQU KST PRO DEEDIN' G S

(United Press Association.—ByElectiii Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON

Juno 19.

At the inquest on the Channel disaster, Alan Fleming said that te-n minutes from land, a mechanic entered the saloon and told us to put on lifebelts, which the passengers did not know how to inflate. The mechanic said: “Don’t be frightened.” Fleming looked out but bad no idea the plane was going down. If they Had been warned at the outset, more people would have escaped. "Water rushed in immediately the plane struck the sea. Everyone was thrown forward. He did not know how lie escaped. Bailii gave evidence that fifteen miles from the English coast bo suddenly heard a crack and from the violent vibration he realised that something was seriously wrong. He decided immediately to try to return, but lie soon saw he would be unable lo make land. He wirelessed Croydon and decided to land as near as possible to a trawler.

Brailli, in answer to the coroner, said that even looking back on the event now, he thought it would, have been worse to have tried to go on. He was nearer England than France. He did not send any more messages to the passengers who did not know lie had decided on a descent ,in the sea. He glided dawn to water as slowly as possible. When he struck the water lie was thrown out 19 or 20 yards. A verdict of accidental death was returned. The coroner found that the machine was quite airworthy and the pilot and mechanic did all they could in tne circumstances.