FARMER'S DEATH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16869, 5 February 1929, Page 7

FARMER'S DEATH

'PLANES TRAGIC SWOOP LOW-FLYING ALLEGED PILOT SENT FOR. TRIAL (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) SYDNEY, Feb. 4. Sensational evidence was given at the coroner's inquiry to-day, into the death of Alfred <\ Smith, a farmer of Cornwallis, near Windsor, who was killed by an aeroplane piloted by Robert Somerville, in making a forced landing on a paddock, on January 21. The evidence was that aeroplanes from the Richmond, aerodrome had often flown only 10 to 15ft. above the heads of fruit pickers in the Windsor and Richmond districts.

Sarah Woods, a local resident, said she saw Somerville's aeroplane fly 10ft. over deceased's head just prior to the accident. Deceased took off his hat and waved to the airmen. On the second occasion the machine swooped down and killed him.

.Malcolm Smith, IE?, son of deceased, said he did not actually see his father killed, but saw the aeroplane touch the ground and burst into flames. Somerville had recently said certain airmen were in the habit of Hying low over the Chinese gardens "to scare the Chows." The coroner committed Somerville for Mai' on a charge of feloniously slaying Smith. STORY OF THE MISHAP PILOT'S REMARKABLE ESCAPE SYDNEY, Jan. 22. Death came from the sky in an awful form to-day to Alfred Charles Smith, 60. a farmer of Cornwallis, Windsor. He was chipping a cauliflower bed on Ins property, when a Moth aeroplane crashed and the unfortunate man was practically decapitated. His son, who was working on a tractor about 100 yards away witnessed the tragedy. After falling the aeroplane burst into names, but the pilot and his passenger managed to jump clear, and they escaped with slight injuries. The Moth, a model X. accompanied by a machine of similar type, left Richmond aerodrome about 10.30 a.m., and shortly afterwards got into difficulties. It was piloted by Sergeant Robert Somerville. of the R.A.A.F., who had with him Leslie Milgate, a. mechanic. The pilot made for a large paddock on a farm on which to make a forced landing. Accustomed to the flying of aeroplanes in the district. Smith apparently did not take undue notice of the machine, which suddenly glided for the paddock. As it swooped to the earth, Smith realised his danger too late and was unable to get clear. He jumped back as the plane roared towards him. hut as he did so portion of the machine, struck his head. He was also shockinglv cut about other parts of the body. His son managed to jump out of the aeroplane's track. The plane was badly damaged. The pilot and mechanic, who were only slightly injured, had a remarkable escape from death. They were taken to a hospital for treatment. The scene of the accident was some distance, from the township. Sergeant Cafe, of Richmond, and other police hurried to the farm in motor cars. After the tragedy the pilot lapsed into a semi-conscious condition. He partlylost his memory and could remember little of the happenings up to the crash. TRFMENDOU'S CRASH A graphic account of the accident was givet) by Mr. Cordner, who owns prooerty next the deceased. He said that when he was working on his allotment, his attention was drawn to the loud engine noise of the plane, which was only 10ft. from the ground. The plane went up again, and when at a height of about 150 ft. it circled round, and he noticed that the engine had been shut oil The machine then seemed to dive and came down striking the earth ( with a tremendous crash. He immediately rushed over to the snot, reaching the plane as it burst into flames. Mr. Cordner found that deceased had been frightfuily injured. The base of the: scalp was cut clean off, one of his arms was mangled, and there was also a gaping wound in his body. Mr. Cordner, young Smith, and others who had seen the plane come down, helped to drag the airmen from under the wreckage. The pilot was lying on the ground, but was out of the reach of the flames. Milgate, the mechanic, was cut about the face, but otherwise did not appear to be seriously injured. He, too, had the presence of mind to clear himself from the plane in case of tire. . .

When the plane struck Smith, it dragged him about three vards. bumped about five feet, and then rolled over some vards awav. It was then that the fire started. Only the charred remains of the machine were left when men from the Richmond aerodrome came on the scene.

Pilot Sbtnerville was looked upon as a man with b>h living qualities. He bad heen riving for manv years. Mr. Smith who bad resided on the farm for many years, is survived by a widow, two daughters and a son,' He had taken an active part in the social and political life of the district.