MISS AMY JOHNSON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 74, 8 January 1941, Page 6

MISS AMY JOHNSON.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF HER DEATH WOULD-BE RESCUER LOSES LIFE. United Press Association. —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 1.40 p.m.) LONDON, January 7. Details are now available of the circumstances in which Miss Amy Johnson lost her* life when flying as an air transport auxiliary pilot oyer the Thames Estuary. . ■ , On Sunday afternoon His Majesty 3 trawler Haslemer, under command of Lieutenant-Commander W. E. Fletcher which formed part of an escort of a convoy off the Thames Estuary, saw a parachute descending through low clouds. This was followed by an aircraft which circled round, losing height. It glided down and landed on the water near the parachute. The weather was • very bad at the time, with a heavy sea running, and the aircraft immediately began to brear: up. The Haslemere and other ships of the convoy escort at once stood oyer toward the wreckage in an attempt to effect a rescue. The attempts, however were hampered by an exceedingly heavy confused sea. While a boat was being launched from the Haslemere those on board saw two survivors from the aircraft in the sea. One of these was seen to be a woman but she sank before a rescue could be attempted. LieutenantCommander Fletcher dived overboard from the Haslemere in an attempt to save the life of the other aviator seen. Lieutenant-Commander Fletcher was seen to reach the man and he was supportiiig. him in the water. Meanwhile the Haslemere’s boat bad been launched and made every effort to reach tho two men in the water despite the strong wind and heavy breaking sea. It failed to do so but a naval motor launch which arrived on the scene at this moment picked up LieutenantCommander Fletcher, but no trace could be found of the man whom he entered the water to save.

When picked up by the motor launch Lieutenant-Commander Fletcher was unconscious and suffering from extreme exhaustion and exposure. He died soon after being landed and taken to hospital. Another of His Majesty’s ships which quickly came upon the scene and endeavoured to effect a rescue picked up records of the aircraft which were floating among such of the wreckage as remained above the water.—-British Official Wireless

Miss Johnson was a daughter of Mi and Mrs J. W. Johnson, of Hull. She was educated at Sheffield University, taking her degree in economics, and she commenced her flying career in 1928, later gaining honours in. the study of aeronautics. She Was the first woman to fly alone from London to Australia, in 1930, setting a record for the soloi flight to Karachi. 'She also flew to Japan and to Capetown; and back in record time. With J, A. Mollison she flew to America, non-stop, via the North Atlantic, in 1938. Miss Johnson was married to Mr J. A. Mollison in 1932 and they were divorced in 1938. Her flying achievements gained her numerous awards and trophies.