FLYING DOCTOR.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVI, Issue 11, 8 October 1937, Page 1

FLYING DOCTOR.

RESCUED IN NICK OF TIME WALKING IN CIRCLES. SYDNEY, October 1. Weakened by hunger and thirst, Dr. Clyde Fenton, North Australia’s missing flying doctor, was rescued by Flight-Lieutenant Hely and Mown to Newcastle Waters. Dr. Cook, who reports that Dr. Fenton’s condition leaves much to be desired, hopes that with strict medical care Dr. Fenton will be fully restored to health. Dr. Fenton will have to remain at Newcastle Waters for some days before being- taken to Darwin for further treatment and to convalesce. Dr. Fenton’s Moth aeroplane was forced down through lack of petrol, and was undamaged. The flying doctor had been missing for "six days after setting out from his headquarters at Katherine on a medical flight to Tanumbrini Station. When found Dr. Fenton had started to walk to Tanumbrini Station, 20 miles away. He was walking around in circles. STAGGERING ALONG TRACK. In staccato messages to the Air Board, Flight-Lieutenant Holy described how he had first sighted a mail staggering along the track to Tanumbrini Station. He flow low around the man and recognised him as the missing doctor. Signalling that lie would land, lie swooped down alongside the doctor’s ’plane. Running’ to the assistance of the lost man, lie escorted him back to the K.A.A.F. Kapide, and gave him water and a little light food. After waiting for half an hour lie ( U-t-i<li'«l to take oil with Dr. Fenton a ; passenger, and landed at New-ri-tlc Waters an hour later. Dr. Cook, the North Australian Government Medical Officer, was awaiting his arrival, and he immediately took charge of the patient. The announcement that Dr. henton was safe was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm in Darwin. Judge Wells made a public announcement ill Court. He had previously announced his intention ot adjourning the Court and joining ill the search. , It is understood that Flight-Lieut-enant. Hel.v will he recommended for the Air Force Cross for his splendid work in rescuing Sir Herbert Gepp in May and Dr. Fenton. He has thus twice repaid the ettort expended in searching for him when he was lost with two airmen in April, 1936. On that occasion Flight-Lieutenant Simms was awarded the A.F.C. for his location of Flight-Lieutenant Hely and party.