Glider pilot, 81, swerved to avoid hitting house with children

Glider crash

An 80-year-old woman  was injured after crashing her glider in Goorambat, near Benalla. Picture: Herald Sun
Source: Herald Sun




UPDATE 10.20pm: AN 81-year-old woman who was critically injured in a gliding accident on Sunday night had swerved to avoid a home with children in it.


Mary Neighbour, from the United Kingdom, was in a serious but serious but stable condition in the Royal Melbourne Hospital last night after the accident in Goorambat, northern Victoria, the Herald Sun reported.

Gliding Club of Victoria spokesman John Switala said Mrs Neighbour became stuck in a down draught, and was heading for a house when she turned sharply, pirouetting the wing on the ground.

”The way the glider was descending, it was probably quite possible she could’ve hit the house, and we’re guessing she made this behaviour to avoid doing that and that’s when she hit the ground,” he said.

He said a mother and at least two children were standing on the porch of the house when the accident happened, and that they ran to her aid after the crash.

Mr Switala described Mrs Neighbour as an experienced pilot who had been flying for more than 35 years.

”Shes’ a highly experienced and competent pilot and all of us would have no hesitation to fly in same sky as Mary,” he said.

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