FALL INTO CREEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22469, 13 July 1936, Page 8

FALL INTO CREEK

PARACHUTE MISHAP EFFECT OF STRONG WIND DESCENT FROM OVER 5000 FT. PICKED UP BY ROWING BOAT Unexpected thrills were experienced by fi large crowd at. the jVl«nigcre aeiodrome yesterday afternoon when the parachutist, Mr. G. W. Sollais, in making a descent from over 5000 ft., fell into an estuary of the Manukau Harbour at the northern end of the ground. He was picked up by a rowing boat and taken to the home of a local resident, where he was given a hot bath and a change of clothing. Last evening Mr. Sellars said he was not suffering any ill effects. There was a fairly strong southwesterly breeze blowing when Mr. Sellars was taken aloft in an aeroplane piloted by the club instructor, I 1 lightLieutenant D. M. Allan. Ihe climb to over 5000 ft., which was watched by a crowd of about 2000 people, occupied about 15 minutes. The parachutist made his leap at a point south-west of the hangar, and the early stages of the descent were clearly observed by the crowd Unsuccessful Effort It was soon apparent to the onlookers that the wind at the high altitude was much stronger, and varying in direction from that at the ground level. The parachute was carried almost due north over the western boundary of the aerodrome. The parachutist spilled air from his parachute in an effort to make his landing ground, but when this was unsuccessful he released his second parachute when he was less than 1000 ft. from the ground. This did not open and function properly, and Mr. Sellars landed in an arm of the creek between two banks of mangroves. The splash as the parachutist struck the water was observed by the spectators on the eminences near by and there was a rush to the scene, which was fully half a mile from the hangar. The owner of a neighbouring bach. Mr. Colin Towers, who had crossed to the aerodrome in his dinghy, was about 600 yards away and he immediately rowed to the scene. He found Mr. Sellars standing up to his armpits in the creek, his feet being sunk in the muddy bottom. After Mr. Sellars had been helped aboard and had recovered the two parachutes and harness which he had cast off on striking the water, Mr. Towers and Mr. Sellars both rowed back to 'the aerodrome ground and were taken to the hangar by motor-car. Dragged Under Water Mr. Sellars said he realised early in his descent that the wind would carry him northerly instead of north-east. When his attempts to spill air by pulling on the parachute cords were not successful he ripped open his emergency parachute. " The velocity of my descent was not sufficient to open the folds of the second parachute," said Mr. Sellars. He said he was dragged under the water by the unopened parachute, but he unfastened the harness and regained his feet. " Fortunately, I did not land in the deepest part of the creek, or in the mangroves," added Mr. Sellars. He expressed his appreciation of Mr. Towers' prompt action. As both parachutes were saturated the second descent was cancelled. Mr. Sellars said he would have a big job cleaning the salt water from the equipment. It was Mr. Sellars' 13th descent at Mangere. His only previous mishap occurred in the Pahiatua district, when he was making his 13th descent as a parachutist. On that occasion he injured his ankle.