TRAGIC DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 155, 4 July 1938, Page 13

TRAGIC DEATH.

G. W. SELLARS KILLED.

CRASHED ON TO BEACH

PARACHUTES DID NOT OPEN,

(By Telegraph.—rres3 Association.) WESTPORT. Sunday. G. W. Sellars. New Zealand's oniy parachutist, met his untimely death on Saturday afternoon when giving his one and only descent at North Beach aerodrome. The weather was dark and unfavourable, and all the spectators were keyed up to a high pitch.

Sellars had come from Auckland under special commission to the West port Aer<j Club to give t.o exhibition parachut:; jumps as a special performance at th>: initial opening of the new aerodrome on the North Heach. Sellars. noting the unfavourable weather condif hints, had announced that he would give only one descent. Before going lip on tlie flight yesterday Sellars jjave his apparatus a run over in the We«tport hangar. The flight took place after the initial opening of the aerodrome. Previous to the flighl a heavy .-hower of rain had fallen, which was followed by a temporary lull in the weather. The 'plane, a 'liizcr Moth, wis piloted by Klight-Ucutciiant \V. Parker. instructor at the We-t Coast. I'nit.-d Aero (lub. win-. strangely enough, taught Sellars to flv.

Mr. D. Gemini]], secretary of the West]>ort Aero Club, announced to patron* just liefore the macliine took off that Sellars was to make cmlv one parachute descent drop from l.",(M> ft.

When Sellars appealed over the si<le of the cockpit of the 'plane a tense atmosphere prevailed over the <i>semblage. He jumped and appeared to lie falling head downwards for a considerable distance before the lirst parachute went up to partially lill.

His descent war; r«ipid an<l he applied the second parachute. which al-o failed to till, and the parachutist, rapidly falling to the earth, had no chance.

He hit the Ixsich over from the aerodrome with terrific force and was killed almost instantly.

The crowd of spectators midii reached the body, which was crushed and broken to a tremendous degree.

An inquest was opened to-day when formal evidence of identification was given b v Mr. 1). K. Ccnmiill. secretary to the West port Aero Club, and the inquest then adjourned sine die. The body will he token to Dunedin for burial.