FLYER'S ADVENTURE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 112, 7 November 1935, Page 28

FLYER'S ADVENTURE

CHASED BY CROCOPILE

The crew of the de Havilland aeroplane which had been reported missing on a flight to Dutch New Giunea arrived at Rangoon in a rescue aeroplane on September 22, says the "Daily Mail." . ' They were Captain E. Fulford, Captain Vonk, and Mr. S. T. Cope. The machine they were flying was one of three due for delivery to the Dutch authorities. They made a forced landing on Hainggyi Island, at the mouth of the Bassein River, some 90 miles from Rangoon, two days previously. The airmen slept in the machine throughout a stormy night, with wiid animals prowling round, while they were in danger of floods from the monsoon rains. Next day Captain Vonk set out for assistance and walked over hazardous country to a village in dense jungle. He was given a hostile reception by the natives, who had massed themselves for battle. Captain Vonk, however, exercised great tact and succeeded in winning the villagers .over to such an extent that they agreed to be photographed. After a time he picked up a river steamer for Bassein where he got in touch with Rangoon, and a relief aeroplane was sent to Hainggyi Island. When Captain Fulford and Mr. Cope were rescued their food supplies were exhausted. They had been living on fish and brackish water, and one of them had a narrow escape from death when he was chased by a crocodile. The loneliness of their situation and the ever-present threat of floods told on their nerves, and the constant visits of strange animals, including dangerous snakes, added to their terrors. The inhabitants of jungle villages were attracted to the spot by the fallen aeroplane, but they scattered when the rescue machine appeared. Afterwards they held a special "pooja" (prayer meeting) to rid the island of the evil influence of the "bird-men."