MISS JOHNSON’S DEATH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 33, 8 January 1941, Page 8

MISS JOHNSON’S DEATH.

> OFFICER LOSES LIFE. (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 1.40 p.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 7. Details are now available of the circumstances in which Miss Amy Johnson lost her life when flying as an Air Transport Auxiliary pilot' over the Thames Estuary. On the afternoon of January 5 H.M. trawler Haslemere,' under the command of Lieutenant-Commander W. E. Fletcher, and which formed part of the escort of a convoy off the Thames Estuary, saw a parachute descending through the low clouds. This was followed by an aircraft which circled round, losing height. It glided down and landed on the water near the parachute.

The weather was very bad at the time, with a heavy sea running, and the aircraft immediately began to break up. The Haslemere and other ships of the convoy escort at once stood over towards the wreckage in an attempt to effect a rescue. Their attempts, however, were hampered by the exceedingly heavy and confused sea.

While a boat was being launched from the Haslemere those on board saw two survivors from the aircraft in the sea. One of these was seen to be a woman, but she sank before a rescue could be attempted. Lieut.-Com-mander Fletcher dived overboard from the Haslemere in an attempt to save the life of the other kviator. Ho was seen to reach the man and to be supporting him in the water. Meanwhile the Haslemere’s boat had been launched and made every effort to reach the two men in the water, despite the strong wind and heavy breaking sea. It failed to do so, but a naval motor-launch which arrived on the scene at this moment picked up Fletcher. No trace could lk found of the man he had entered the water to save. When picked up by the motorlaunch Lieut.-Commandei _ Fletcher was unconscious and suffeiing from extreme exhaustion and exposure. He 'died soon after being landed and was taken to hospital. Another of His Majesty’s ships which cmickly came n.n. the scene and endeavoured to effect a rescue. It picked up the records of the aircraft which were floating among such of the wreckage as remained above water.