Skip to main content

Rare light aircraft crash in Beijing kills pilot, injures 13 people

A light aircraft crash into Beijing's tallest building on Friday killed ​the pilot and injured 13 people who were not on ‌board, the local government said following the unusual accident for the Chinese capital, where airspace is heavily restricted. Those injured are receiving medical treatment and authorities are ​investigating the incident, Chaoyang district government said in a statement ​on Saturday. "A single-engine, two-seat light sport aircraft collided with ⁠a high-rise building while flying near the East third ring road ​in Chaoyang, at 5:55pm (0955 GMT) on June 26," said the ​statement, which was posted on social media. "There was only one person on board, the pilot, who died," the statement added, without giving any further details of ​the possible cause of the crash. Damage to the facade of the ​skyscraper appeared to be limited to a hole caused by the loss of ‌two ⁠large glass panels. The gap had been temporarily boarded up as ...
Post a Comment

Last surviving Battle of Britain pilot John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway dies at 105

The last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, John "Paddy" Hemingway, has passed away at the age of 105, marking the end of an era for one of World War II’s most pivotal battles. Born in Dublin, Hemingway joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a teenager before the outbreak of World War II. At just 21 years old, he played a crucial role as a fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain, a critical three-month campaign in which RAF pilots defended Britain against relentless attacks by the German Luftwaffe. During his service, Gp Capt Hemingway was shot down four times and survived numerous perilous encounters. In August 1940, he was forced to bail out twice from his Hurricane fighter, landing once in the sea off the Essex coast and another time in marshland. His Hurricane wreckage was recovered in 2019, with its control column and gun button still set to “fire”—a reminder of the fierce battles fought in the skies. In July 1941, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a prestigious honor recognizing valor and courage in aerial combat. However, on his way to receive the medal from the King, his aircraft crashed during takeoff, forcing him to escape yet again. Later, while serving with 85 Squadron in RAF Hunsdon, he was forced to bail out of his Havoc night fighter at 600 feet (183m) due to instrument failure in poor weather. He broke his hand on the aircraft’s tail and narrowly survived when his parachute got caught in tree branches. His final emergency landing occurred near Ravenna, Italy, when his Spitfire was hit multiple times. Stranded in enemy territory, he was aided by Italian civilians who helped him return to Allied forces. The pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain were famously referred to as "The Few", a term coined by Winston Churchill in his tribute to their heroism: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." Reflecting on his role in history, Hemingway told BBC News NI in 2023 that he never sought recognition for being part of "The Few": "I don't think we ever assumed greatness of any form. We were just fighting a war we were trained to fight." Despite his remarkable survival, Hemingway expressed deep regret over the loss of friends, especially fellow pilot Richard "Dickie" Lee, who died in August 1940. The RAF honoured Hemingway’s legacy, stating his passing marked "the end of an era and a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom during World War II." "His courage in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrated his sense of duty and the importance of British resilience." The RAF also recalled Hemingway’s mischievous and thoughtful nature, describing him as a quiet yet composed individual who always had a twinkle in his eye when reminiscing about his experiences. Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of RAF Air Staff, who met Hemingway in Dublin earlier this year, described him as an "amazing character whose life story embodies all that was and remains great about the Royal Air Force."  

from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/OAmg8Ip
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

At least 32 miners dead after bridge fails at cobalt site in southeast DR Congo

A bridge collapsed at a cobalt mine in southeast Democratic Republic of Congo killing at least 32 wildcat miners, a regional government official said Sunday. The bridge came down Saturday onto a flooded zone at the mine in Lualaba province, Roy Kaumba Mayonde, the provincial interior minister, told reporters. He said 32 bodies had been recovered and more were being searched for. The DRC produces more than 70 percent of the world supply of cobalt, which is essential for batteries used in electric cars, many laptop computers and mobile phones. More than 200,000 people are estimated to be working in giant illegal cobalt mines in the giant central African country. Local authorities said the bridge collapsed at the Kalando mine, about 42 kilometres (26 miles) southeast of the Lualaba provincial capital, Kolwezi. "Despite a formal ban on access to the site because of the heavy rain and the risk of a landslide, wildcat miners forced their way into the quarry," said Mayonde. He said ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Indian devotees splurge on jets, gold idols as Hindu temple opens

The private jet parking lots at airports near the Indian city of Ayodhya are full and the shops have run out of gold-plated idols, as wealthy devotees prepare for the invite-only opening ceremony of one of Hinduism's holiest temples. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani are among the 8,000 or so attendees at Monday's inauguration event for the Ram Temple, which devotees believe is built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, a sacred Hindu deity. The construction of the temple, which began after the Supreme Court awarded the site to Hindus in 2019 more than two decades after a Hindu mob razed a mosque there, triggering deadly riots, fulfils a key campaign promise of Modi and his Hindu nationalist party. Read BJP-promised temple transforms Ayodhya: Muslims, locals feel neglected The opening ceremony, organised by the trust that built the temple, comes months before a national election which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is widely expected to w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Vancouver tribunal says 'every dog is entitled to one bite' in injury case

A woman who sought nearly $5,000 in damages after being bitten by a dog on Christmas Eve has had her claim dismissed, after a British Columbia tribunal ruled the incident amounted to an accident — and that “every dog is entitled to one bite.” Ying Shen was bitten on the hand by a mini Australian Shepherd named Juliet as she stepped out of an elevator in her apartment building in Vancouver on 24 December 2022. The dog, which was leashed and accompanied by neighbour Jeffrey Dale Polo, bit Shen as the two passed each other in the corridor. According to the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal’s decision, Polo apologised, saying Juliet was “usually well behaved.” Shen sought medical attention that night at St. Paul’s Hospital, where she was treated for a superficial abrasion and given a tetanus shot. She later filed a report with the City of Vancouver. A bylaw officer determined that Juliet was not considered dangerous under city regulations, though the dog was found to be unlicensed. In his 5 M...
Post a Comment
Read more