AIR HEROINE

Southland Times, Issue 21097, 31 May 1930, Page 7

AIR HEROINE

COMPLETE REST URGED MISS JOHNSON FEELING STRAIN THE LANDING ACCIDENT (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) Brisbane, May 30. Miss Amy Johnson attended two women’s functions to-day, but will attend no more for a day or two. A doctor ordered her complete rest. She is unnerved by the crowds and the pace set by multitudinous admirers.

Discussing her accident yesterday, she explained that she had magneto trouble all the way from Longreach. The engine functioned splendidly while, going at full speed, but when she slowed the throttle it showed signs of stopping altogether and spluttered ominously. Each time she landed the engine always stopped immediately. She anticipated trouble when coming down to the' aerodrome yesterday. The spluttering returned, and the plane began to lose height and make a very steep side slip.” She knew she was in for a smash. She had no fear and just waited, but did not bargain for running into a fence and turning upside down. Touching sidelights of Miss Johnson’s exploit were revealed while she was addressing a conference of the Women's Chistian Temperance Union to-day. ’ After likening herself to Cinderella, who was afraid she might wake up to find all the good things about her mythical, she said: “I want to tell you a remarkable incident. I firmly believe there is somebody who watches over us each day. Before I hopped off, I said, ‘Please, dear God, see me safely through to-day.’ And now I know there is a Higher Power. I feel it.” She then related the remarks of some of those who surrounded her. “Thank God you’re no Yankee,” one man shouted. “That exclamation,” said Miss Johnson, “instantly made me realize I was really doing something to. bind the English people more closely together.”

MISS JOHNSON’S CRASH

BARBED WIRE FENCE STRUCK. MACHINE TURNS OVER. Brisbane, May 30. Later reports reveal that Miss Amy Johnson’s crash was attended by more serious possibilities than the first news indicated. It appears that her plane struck a barbed wire fence, and the machine turned over after knocking down a post. She was travelling at about 10 miles an hour when she hit the fence, two posts of which caught in the wings. The plane went through for about five yards, then stood on its nose and finished upside down. When some men arrived, Miss Johnson was lying on the ground. “The petrol is running out,” she said. “Let me turn it off. I don’t want the machine to catch fire.” VOICE HEARD IN ENGLAND. London, May 29. Miss Amy Johnson's typically English voice was plainly heard in England from Brisbane when the British Broadcasting Corporation relayed her address.