SCOTLAND'S PLIGHT SHORT TRIP IN THE AIR ] MACHINE FALLS IN NEWTOWN PARK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 71, 25 March 1914, Page 8

SCOTLAND'S PLIGHT SHORT TRIP IN THE AIR ] MACHINE FALLS IN NEWTOWN PARK.

The wind proved too much for Mr Scotland yesterday afternoon, and disap' pointed a few sightseers who had gathered round Athletic Park in expectation of the Might. To-day there was a decided improvement in the weather, and the southerly had dropped down to a light breeze of from 4 to 20 miles an hour, a& recorded at the wireless station. There was a possibility of a surprise flight over the city shortly after noon to-day, but Mr. Scotland was not satisfied with the trim of the machine, and decided to wait until it could be inspected by Mr. Hairy Turner, who was kindly allowed by the City Council to spend a 'little time cohig over the aeroplane this afternoon. At 3,30 the conditions were favourable for Hying, but by no means perfect, the breeze still blowing lightly. A fair crowd , had gathered at the park to see the flight, and more were coming in all thu time. It was expected then that the flight would take place about 4 o'clock. Scotland started soonei' than was expected. The machine taxied off tho ground, and came back again to the tfbrth-western corner to face the wind. Then, after getting the engine going full speed, he gave the order to let go The machine rose sluggishly into the wind, and beat up towards Duppa-street Park, being much buffeted by tiie wind, It swayed backwards 'and forwards most alarmingly, and dipped and pitched and rolled in the tricky wind so that an accident seemed inwrUible. The airman made a sharp left turn with a heavy bank, and_ steered towards Newtown Park. While over Berhampore it could be seen that he was in great danger, the machine tossing like a cork in the wind. Scotland tried to rftse, but he seemed to be in a maelstrom of eddies, the wind beating in all directions. It appeared he might possibly get out of it, when, to the horror of the spectators, his machine plunged into the trees of Newtown Park with a rending crash. There was immediately a rush from the ground to the scene, and at the moment it is not Jtnovm what is the extent of Scotland's injuries. It is understood that Scotland drove the machine into the trees to save himself. Further enquiri&s elicited the information that Scotland got off with a severe shaking, but the machine, which fell among the trees on the western side of the Park, wa-s badly smashed.