WOMAN’S AIR CRASH

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1929, Page 5

WOMAN’S AIR CRASH

NEWS FLASHED TO LOVER IN . RIVAL MACHINE.

ROOSEVELT FIELD, New York,

June 27.

Mr Jack Ashcraft, the pilot, was killed and Miss Viola Gentry was seriously injured this morning when the biplane in which they were attempting to break the world’s endurance record (with refuelling while in Right) crashed. When Miss Gentry was picked up her first words were, “ What has happened;'” She was‘rushed to hospital, where it was found both her arms were broken. She has not been informed of Mr Ashcraft’s death. Miss Gentry was engaged in friendly rivalry with another woman, Mrs Martin Jensen, for the honour of breaking the record. Mrs Jensen, accompanied by her husband and Mr William Ulbi'ich, a professional pilot, had started on Wednesday and was in the air when the accident occurred. After the crash Miss Gentry became hysterical as she lay critically injured, in the wreckage and called over and over again for “ Bill.” It was known that she and Mr Ulbricli were close friends, but that the feeling between thorn was something more than that was net known until she, believing herso|f at death’s door,\ prayed to have him witli her.

Meanwhile Mr Ulbricli, who had seen the other aeroplane disappear in a bank of clouds, got into communication with the aerodrome office through his wireless telephone.

He pleaded and wept almost like a madman for a true report of what had happened to the girl. He was so distracted that the pilots down below were afraid to tell him of her broken limbs, other multiple fractures, lacerations and internal injuries. To pacify him the microphone was run direct to Miss Gentry’s bedside in the. hope that in a lucid interval the girl might be able to speak to him. .

This afternoon a message was sent from the hospital to the aerodrome saying that Miss Gentry needed fresh blood. The flying and ground staffs at the aerodrome, with whom the girl was a' great favourite, stepped forward as one man.