Mexborough and Swinton Times June 4, 1937

An Amazing Escape
Mexborough man survives aeroplane crash

“Charmed Life”

Mr Ronald Batty, the 24 year old son of Mr and Mrs C Batty, 37 Hampden Rd, Mexborough, has had many escape from death, but the narrowest and most fortunate escape on Saturday, when he was one of the passengers in the ill-fated six seated aeroplane witchcraft at the Doncaster Empire Day Air Display.

From a height of 500 feet the machine, carrying five joyriders, nosedived into the ground. The pilot and three passengers, including a 10-year-old boy, were fatally injured, but Mr Batty and the other passengers came out alive. They were conveyed by ambulance to the Doncaster Royal Infirmary and detained.

Mr Batty is employed at the Mexborough Sheds of the L.N.E.railway, where he has been engaged for about eight years, and he is a member of the ambulance class held there.

He has had a charmed life, in the course of which has undergone as many as eight minor operations. He had, in fact, only been back at work a fortnight since his latest. He had another fortunate escape from serious injury three years ago when he had a fall while learning to ride a motorcycle at Barnburgh. Although he fell heavily, your Mrs states like injuries to his elbow.

Evening Visit

He left home after tea on Saturday telling his parents that he was going by train to Doncaster to watch the air display. He had never been before to one, and seemed quite excited about going. He did not express any intention of “going up.”

Once in the field, however, decided to experience for himself the thrills of flying. He entered a six seater Airspeed courier, piloted by Mr J.I.R. Jones of Doncaster, which took off a few minutes later with such tragic results. The plane had only just left the ground, when it seemed to develop a roll and a spin and crashed on the landing grounds about 80 yards from the outskirts of the crowd.

Although he did not leave word at home as to what time he would return, Batty’s family began to feel anxious when he had not returned at 11 o’clock. Just then a policeman called and told them of the accident. Mr Batty’s father and brother immediately set off for Doncaster on the latter’s motorcycle. Mr Batty senior returned home later by train, but Mr C A Batty stayed at his brother’s bedside all night.

Mr R Batty, whose chief injuries were to the chest, neck and back, was quite comfortable, although he was not able to move. He told his brother that he could remember the plane leaving the ground, but after that all went blank. He had, however, a vague recollection of an ambulance bell ringing. Mr Batty’s condition has improved steadily during the week, and on Wednesday he was well enough to be moved. It was thought he must have had a great amount of pain for a day or two after the accident, everyone in the family who has seen him has remarked on his cheerfulness.

Inquest on Victims of Crash

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned at the inquest on the four victims held at Doncaster on Tuesday. Evidence was that the plane took off normally and Jones, the pilot, seem to be attempting a steep climb, and the machine suddenly turned on its back. Jones made frantic efforts to right it and regain control, but he had lost speed, and the plane rolled and crashed, the pilot having apparently no chance of flattening out owing to low altitude.

Summing up, the coroner said a great deal was always made about an air accident, but in view of the development of simulation aviation accidents of this description were comparatively rare.

Tributes were paid to the experience and ability of the dead pilot, and a definite denial was given by the doctor attended him at the infirmary that there was any suggestion of his having taken alcohol. No satisfactory explanation of the disaster was forthcoming.