’PLANE CRASHES INTO KITCHEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1935, Page 4

’PLANE CRASHES INTO KITCHEN

WOMAN TURNS OFF GAS. LONDON, December 27. Miss Edith Martin, who was working in her kitchen at her home in Plough-lane. Croydon, on Saturday, looked out of the window and saw an ‘aeroplane coming straight at tlic house. Within a. few seconds it crashed through the kitchen wall and came to rest with the engine touching the gas stove.

Miss Martin pushed her father out of the way and started to prevent ci fire. “Petrol was streaming round my feet, so I immediately put out the gas stove and raked out the fire,” she said. “My arm was hurt, but not t eriously.” The aeroplane—a French machine —had overshot the aerodrome. Mr

Holder, a neighbour, said that when

he hurried to the house Mr Martin was standing ohtside the door, “tn the kitchen Miss Martin was coolly damping' down the fire.’’ he said. ‘.‘Petrol was running round her feet, and her one thought seemed to be of the danger of fire.” The pilot, M. Emile D’Armaude, was, taken to hospital with cuts from flying glass. Tlie wireless operator. M. Andre Campion, escaped unhurt. Both returned to France later in the day. When the 'plane struck the house a holo over 12ft square was torn in t'iu. corner, ami the scullery and port of the kitchen were demolished. Half the roof was stripped of tiles by the I tip of the wings. Mr Martin and his j daughter .were taken to hospital, where Mr Martin was detained for a few hours suffering from shock.