HAWKER'S FATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1921, Page 5

HAWKER'S FATE.

CRASH SEEN BY FIREMEN. THE SCENE DESCRIBED. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright London, July 13. The Hendon Fire Brigade happened to be returning from heath fires due to the drought. They saw an aeroplane in flames and the firemen, leaving the engine, hurried to the field where the aeroplane had crashed. They found the aviator dying and later identified him as Hawker. An officer of the fire brigade says that Hawker seemed in difficulties when high in the air, and apparently determined, to land in a field 14 miles from Hendon, instead, of attempting to reach the aerodrome. As the machine got nearer, however, he must have seen people in the field and tried to avoid them. In doing so the machine began to spin and then sway from side to side, and the petrol tank burst into flames when about 209 yards from the ground, where it crashed. The burning aeroplane set the dry grass ablaze. Hawker had fallen .a jiundred yards from the blazing machine. The grass scorched, but did not burn him. A doctor and the firemen rushed to his rescue and beat out the flames in the grass, but Hawker died without regaining consciousness ten minutes after his fall. Other observers, however, assert that they saw flames when Hawker was 6000 feet up. Hawker was a man who constantly gambled with death. His friends called him “The man who won’t be killed.” He was a life-long teetotaller and nonsmoker and always had perfect control of his nerves. He leaves a widow and daughter. MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. HAWKER’S LAST THOUGHT. Received July 14. 5.5 p.m. London, July 13. Mrs.’ Hawker has received messages from Alcock and others. Hawker, just before dying, asked: Is the machine all right? —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.