FELL FROM A ’PLANE

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17447, 6 July 1928, Page 8

FELL FROM A ’PLANE

MYSTERY MILLIONAIRE. LOWENSTEIN’S fate. drowned in the sea. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.— -Copyright.) (Australian Press As^. cia T tu ? n) - LONDON, July 5. The well-known Belgian financier and millionaire, Captain Alfred Lowenstein, was drowned as the result of a most remarkable accident, in the an. He left Croydon for Brussels by aeroplane, accompanied by his personal staff, besides a pilot and a mechanic. While the plane was over the sea between Dunkirk and Ostend Captain Lowenstein apparently opened a wrong door and fell out and was drowned. It is recalled that lie offered to lend to the Belgian Government £10,000,000 without interest, to stabilise the franc. Captain Lowenstein’s secretary, who was on board the plane, said Captain Lowenstein left his companions to visit the toilet room. Owing to his prolonged absence a search was made and the room was found to be empty. Apparently Captain Lowenstein, bj a tragic mistake, opened an adjoining door in the side of the hullIt is stated that Captain Lowenstein had for somp months showed signs of ill-health. This was attributed to his unceasing activities. It is believed that he had been considerably disappointed when the Belgian and French Governments rejected his offers of loans.

LATER. BODY NOT RECOVERED. DROP OF 1000 FEET. MUST BE REDUCED TO PULP. (By Telegraph —Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Tress Association.; (Received July 0, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 5. The machine from which Captain Lowenstein fell was Ills own. It .wan a three-engined Fokker. He was crossing the channel at the altitude of 1000 feet at the time of the tragedy. The body has not been recovered, and must have been reduced to pulp. EFFECT ON STOCKS. EXCHANGE INSTANTLY REACTS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn:—Copyright.) (Australian Press AssociaUon.j (Received July 6, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 5. The Stock Exchange instantly reacted to Captain Lowenstein’s death. Dealers refused to quote international holdings or hydro-electric security, in which he was heavily interested. The former dropped GO points and the latter 2G points, regaining 12. WAS IT AN ACCIDENT ? FRENCH POLICE RAISE DOUBTS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) (Received July G, 11.20 a.m.) PARIS, July 5. The police at Calais after an investigation into the Lowenstein tragedy draw attention lo oilier possibilities than accident.

LONDON, July 5

The London Financial Association declares that Captain Lowenstein merely had ordinary worries. He was the most absent-minded man in the world and wnen planning schemes he never looked at what he was doing or where he was going. FINANCIALLY EMBARRASSED. HEAVY LOSSES SUSTAINED. SUICIDE HINTED AT. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian Press Association). (Received July 6, 1.50 p.m-) LONDON, July 5. Captain Lowenstein’s death has caused a sensation. It is stated that exceptional force was needed to open the latal door. Deceased's valet says he found the door bad been opened and the catch hanging down. The door was only | held against the sides of the machine by a rush of wind. i The plane was four thousand feet ! in the air. j It was Lowenstein’s habit to open | the door and gaze at the sea when | crossing the channel. , The Belgian authorities express the belief that the evidence points to sui- : cide rather than accident. . A high financial authority stated that Lowenstein has lately been embar- ! rassed. He bad been refused credit | for a large sum in England and this j left him unable to cover important ob- ! ligations in Brussels. It is also stated | that he failed to float a £5,000,000 I loan in America and it is further announced that he lost £5,000,000 on the I Brussells Bourse. jLCVmtinued in nest column).