CHICHESTER'S INJURIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20954, 18 August 1931, Page 9

CHICHESTER'S INJURIES.

CAD BUT NOT DESPERATE.

BRITISH CONSUL'S REPORT.

DANGER OF ROUTE FLOWN.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 17. 11.55 p.m.)

TOKIO, August 17. The British Consul, Mr. W. M. Royds, visited the New Zealand airman, Mr. F C. Chichester, in hospital at Shingu, and reports that his condition is serious but not desperate, as a result of his crash at Katsuura. The airman is suffering from a wound in ono thigh, chest and internal injuries, a bruised back, a broken arm and an injury to one eye which is not dangerous. His recovery is possible in three weeks.

A Japanese naval airman, Lieutenant Mitsuwa, • expressed profound regrets at Mr. Chichester's accident. He said he was surprised at the official orders directing the New Zealander to follow the route through Katsuura, because it is a very dangerous place for aviation. The official belief, however, is that the avoidance of fortifications by fliers is most important.

CONDITION OF PATIENT.

AMBASSADOR'S REPORT. MESSAGE TO LORD BLEDISLOE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Monday. The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, has received from the British Ambassador at Tokio, Sir Francis Lindley, official advice that Till 1 . Chichester is now in hospital at Shingu, near where his aeroplane crashed on Friday. His condition yesterday morning is authoritatively reported to have been satisfactory. In spite of the severe cuts and bruises which he received about the face, chest and legs, his temperature is not abnormally high. An X-ray examination of his chest will be made as soon as possible, and he will be removed to one of the large hospitals at Osaka or Kobe as soon as his condition permits. Should the X-ray examination not reveal anything more serious than at present is apparent, the doctors are confident that he will recover. They state that it will be at least a month before he can leave hospital. The Ambassador adds that the Japanese Government has requested the local authorities to render all possible assistance to the injured aviator, which they are doing, and that the British ViceConsul at Kobe left on Saturday night for Shingu, and is now with Mr. Chichester.

The following reply has been despatched by the Governor-General to the British Ambassador:—"l am grateful for the detailed information regarding the accident to and the progress of Mr. Chichester Please convey to him the deep sympathy which I and the Government and people of New Zealand feel for him in his misfortune, and our fervent hope that he will speedily recover. It would be appreciated if, at the same time, you would convey to the Japanese Government tho thanks of the Government of New Zealand for the kind assistance it is rendering to the injured aviator."