A RUNAWAY WATERPLANE.
MISHAP TO WOMAN PASSENGEH. The Daily -Mail waterplane exhibitions,. vvhicii have delighted thousands of people at New Brighton,were marred by a mishap on August- 21). Tho water-plane, with only a lady passengex'on board, broke away fro mthe helpers and floated out into the Mersey, where it capsized. Happily the lady was able to scramble out. of her seat and clung to the plane until help arrived. M. Fischer intended to fly, to tho pierhead, and Miss Murray.decided to go with him. The machine was wheeled down to the water's edge and Miss Marry assisted to her seat. Before the pilot took his scat the machine was wheeled into the water in the ordinary way, and almost immediately it floated off its carriage. It broke away from the grasp of the assistants and headed out on the Mersey with Miss Hurry helpless in the passenger seat j and tho pilot, M. 'Fischer, left behind. About 150 yords out the machine began to drift up strenin in the dit'VQ, I tion of the pier. It had not t ravel 1j ed fifty yards,- however, when tho wind (taught the plane .nearest the shore. : ana iho macliirio began to heel over. 'Miss Hurry did iu'»t lose her M>rve. When she realised.'4hat tfrei machine was capsizing she scrambled out of her seat and chuig to the planes, changing her position as tho circumstances demanded. Eventually the machine turned turtle, and. she was able to stand on one of the planes, with her head well above the water. In the nuvuitime the nearest boat was hurriedly launched, while a number of swimmers set out for the derelict. Although, hampered bv his clothes and overalls, Eric Hatchell, a, motor car mechanic, made splendid time for the distance, and reached Miss Murray just- before a swimmer who lnd waited to strip.' Directly help arrived Miss Murrv collapsed, but the rescuers had no difficulty in supporting her until the boat readier them, and all were brought safely ashore. Miss Murry and Mr -Hatchell, who were very exhausted, were hurried up to: the 'Day' Nursery at tho end of the promenade, and under the care of the superintendent and tho nurses thev sooii" recover-, .ed: " ' • In the mist of all the excitement M. Salmet arrived on.Jiis way from Chester to Preston.' .He landed on the beach, and then gave an exhibition flight. After a brief rest lie resumed his journey, travelling acres?, tho Mersey at n, tremendous pace. When he was no longer visible the crowd turned their attention to the wrecked waterplane and watched tho salvage operations. The water plane was considerably damaged, mid some days must elapse before it can he made ready for further flfght. On a, previous occasion when Miss Min'rv made arrangements for an ascent in'.in aeroplane an accident at the trial flight smashed the machine to pieces.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAG19121106.2.6
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10712, 6 November 1912, Page 3
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477A RUNAWAY WATERPLANE. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10712, 6 November 1912, Page 3
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