A ’FLU VICTIM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 661, 14 January 1933, Page 11

A ’FLU VICTIM.

Famous Airwoman Dies in England. MISS WINIFRED SPOONER. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received January 14, 12.25 pm.) LONDON, January 13. The death is announced of the airwoman, Miss Winifred Spooner, the cause being influenza. Miss Winifred Spooner, the English airwoman, was first attracted to aviation in 1927. Joining the London Aeroplane Club, she soon showed in. her period of training the skill and courage in handling machines combined with caution which make for successful flying. In her very first race she came to the front. The only woman entrant for the Suffolk Handicap, for light planes, in April, 1928, she flew in a two-seater Moth and, covering the 23mile course at an average of 78 m.p.h., won the race. In the contest for the King’s Cup—Britain’s premier trophy—in the same year, she was third, and in the round-Europe touring plane race of 1929 was awarded a prize. In February, 1930, she flew from South Africa to England, and a month later was declared by the International League of Aviators to be the world champion pilot and was awarded its woman’s trophy. In. August she was fourth in the round-Europe flight, and the technical tests that accompanied, beating the five British airmen who competed. With 416 marks out of a possible 500 she was only eleven behind the German winner, and it was held that, if her machine had been provided with certain technical appliances for which points were given, she would have been first. She received the highest number of marks in the starting and landing tests. Three weeks later she was placed fourth in the air race round Italy, and received the special cup for the Naples district and two gold medals. In December, 1930, she and Flying Officer Edwards started from London on an attempt to fly to Cape Town in five days—four days under the record. Their plan was to take the controls alternately and to cover much of the distance by night flying. Shortly after they had passed the Italian coast they ran into fog and crashed into the sea. Miss Spooner was jolted out of the machine, and at once started to swim towards the shore. It was two miles away, but she reached it after two hours. Edwards meanwhile remained in the machine, which had floats, without knowing what had become of her. As soon as she could get help she insisted, despite her exhaustion, in going out in a boat to rescue him. Both of them were injured, though not severely. The machine was so badly damaged that the flight had to be abandoned.

1300 P.O. EMPLOYEES ILL.

Disease Takes Heavy Toll of London Staff. (Received January 14, 2.30 pm.) LONDON, January 13. The ravages of influenza in London include 800 postmen and 500 Exchange girls.