Plane crashes in Avening, 1918

The following is the report of this crash as printed in the Creemore Star, June 28, 1918: An airplane came down in Peter Coates’ clover field at Avening on Tuesday. Messrs. Coates and Agar went over to see it. Owing to the clover being so high, the aviator, in trying to rise again, came toward Mr. Coates, who in making way for him, tripped on the clover and fell, the wing of the machine striking Mr. Coates on the hip. Just how badly his hip is hurt is yet unknown. The machine struck the fence and was slightly damaged.” The identity of the pilot, the cause of the crash and where the plane was flying from is unknown. Mr. Coates’ granddaughter is Creemore resident Helen (Coates) Crawford. Mr. Agar’s granddaughter is Stayner resident Joan (Agar) Wilson. – from Ellen Whitley