KILLED BY AEROPLANE.
DEATH OF ORCHARDIST. AIRMAN SENT FOR TRIAL. (Received February 4, 11.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. Feb. 4. Sensational evidence was given to-day at the inquest concerning the dentil of Mr. Alfred Smith, orc-hardist, who was killed by a Moth aeroplane at Windsor on January 21. The evidence referred to was to the effect that aeroplanes from Richmond aerodomc bad often flown only 12ft. or 15ft. above the heads of fruit pickers in the Windsor and Richmond districts. Sarah Woods, a local resident* said she saw the Moth aeroplane fly 10ft. above deceased's head. Just prior to the accident deceased had taken off his hat and waved to tlio airmen. Later the machine swooped down again and killed him.
Malcolm Smith, aged 18, son of the doceased, said ho did not actually see his father killed, but he saw the aeroplane touch the ground and burst into flames. Flying Officer Somorville some time ago had told him certain airmen were in the habit of flying low over Chinese gardens, " to scare the Chows." The coroner committed Somervillc for trial on a charge of having feloniously slain deceased.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 9
Word Count
187KILLED BY AEROPLANE. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 9
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