PARACHUTIST IN DANGER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22345, 8 March 1938, Page 3

PARACHUTIST IN DANGER

+ DESCENT IN STRONG WIND (TBXSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) HAMILTON, March 7. An unexpected thrill was provided for 500 spectators at the Waikato Aero Club's airport at Rukuhia yesterday when, jumping from a height of 1800 feet, the Hamilton parachutist, Mr L. E. A. Hayward, encountered difficulties in a strong southerly wind and was carried well beyond the confines of the aerodrome, landing in a farm paddock half a mile away. When the aeroplane was 1800 feet up the nose was pointed into the wind to allow the parachutist to take off to the south of the landing . field, and when Mr Hayward climbed on to the wing the wind pressure was so great that he had to relinquish his hold before he was properly ready. Realising the danger of being carried too far in the 40-mile-an-hour gale he delayed opening his parachute for 500 feet, but when it opened he was carried across the flying field at a fast pace. From the ground he was seen to tug desperately at the cords to arrest the terrific rate of the drift, but his efforts were unavailing, and he disappeared from view over the north end of the flying field. After clearing the road and a paddock he was dragged violently for 300 yards across uneven ground, his wild career being eventually brought to a stop when the parachute became entangled in a barbwire fence. Except for minor bruises, the parachutist was uninjured, but a further descent was cancelled because of damage to the parachute.