AT SIXTH TEE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 250, 22 October 1928, Page 7

AT SIXTH TEE.

REMARKABLE CRASH.

Two Women In 'Plane Nosedive

On Golf Course.

SEVERE INJURIES SUSTAINED

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.)

LONDON, October 21

A Moth 'plane crashed on a new golf course at Mote Mount, Milhall, while play was in progress. The amateur golfers, C. J. Tolley and R. H. Wethered, were opposing the professionals, Abe Mitchell and C. Whitcombe, in a foursomes match at the opening of the new course and were approaching the ninth hole when the attention of the spectators was attracted to a Moth 'plane, which was circling overhead in a boisterous wind.

Suddenly the engine stopped and the 'plane spun downwards. The pilot made desperate efforts to regain control. The 'plane nose-dived from a height of 300 ft, and crashed on the sixth tee. The players flung down their clubs and joined the spectators in a rush to the 'plane. They found two women in the wreckage. One was Miss Sicele O'Brien, daughter of Sir Timothy O'Brien, who was the second Englishwoman to obtain a commercial aviation certificate. She was unconscious with a leg fractured and( one foot nearly torn off. Miss O'Brien's pupil, the Hon. M. K. Leith, daughter of the late Lord Burgh, was severely cut in the body and face. The golfers assisted the spectators to drag out the women, and a man seized

the petrol tank, which was broken off and leaking, and carried it to a distance, which prevented the danger of fire.

The suffering women were taken to hospital, where Miss O'Brien's leg was amputated at the knee.

The bystanders pay a tribute to the airwomen's pluck. When Miss O'Brien was placed in the ambulance, in spite

of her pain she asked the extent of Miss Leith's injuries.

GOLFERS AGHAST

Looping 'Plane Spins To The

Links.

OCCUPANTS RESCUED.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received 12 noon.)

RUGBY, October 21.

For the second time recently golfers have been startled by an unexpected flying accident. Ronald C. A. Decott, of the Lancashire Aero Club, after a morning round of golf with William Ramsden, took up Ramsden on a promised flight. The machine began to loop the loop, the golfers stopping play to watch.

Tfce players were struck aghast when they saw the aeroplane spin and fall like a stone to the ground, where it was wrecked. They dragged out the occupants, who shortly recovered from their experience.