Evening star., 1928-06-11
WOMAN SUCCUMbS
! TO STORM INJURIES
Mrs. Aida Wertman. Hit by
Falling Tree During
SquaIl, Dies.

Mrs. Aida M Wertman, 40 years old
Z ss 52s Seventh street northeast, died
early today at Emergency Hospital from
injuries received when she, was pinned
beneath a falling tree on Hains Point
rs she fed for shelter during Saturdays S
devastating wind storm.
The accident has spurred Federal
park officials to make detailed inves-
tigatipn of trees on the Point. with a
view to removing not only those
damaged in the storm, but all others
found to constitute menace to public
safety.
Mrs. Wertnan was one of party of
Is picnickers from the Bureau OF En-
craving and Printing, who were enjoy
ing the afternoon in the picnic grove
near the teahouse. 1er hllSoanu, VIII
liam H. Wertman, an cmploye of the
bureau. and their son, William II. Vert
man, jr., were with her.
Rushed for Shelter.
The group did not notice the oncom-,
ing squall, scurryiug across the river
from the direction of Alexandria, until
the first gusts of wind struck them,
The party, like many others in the
grove. Immediately scattered pell-mel,
some running to parked automooileS
and others toward the teahouse.
Mrs. Wertman was running toward
the house. and had reached the rear OF
the building when large limb from
willow tree crashed down upon her.
Her husband and son and other
members of the group rushed to her
assistance and lifted the limb from her
body. The limb had fallen across her
chest and legs. fracturing several ribs
and breaking both legs in a number OF
places. She was placed in her hus-
bands car and taken to Emergency
Hospital, where she failed to rally from
the injuries and shock.
+ Coroner J. Ramsay hewitt viewed the
body at the hospital this morning and
issued a certificate of accidental death.
An inquest was not deemed necessary
A force of workmen was sent to the
Point to remove the fallen trees and
reopen the drive to traffic. Many
motorists drove around the Point yes
terday afternoon and inspected the
damage most of which was confined to
willow trees.
Having spent good part of yesterday
In cleaning up after the storm, which
played havoc with dozen airplanes
and two hangers at Boiling Field,
officers of the Army Air Corps post to-
day were making disposition of the
damaged aircraft. -Four of the damaged
planes will be repaired at the field.
The plane belonging to Brig. Gen.
BENJAMIN B. Foulois, assistant chief OF
the Air Corps, damaged when part OF
the hangar roof was torn of, win be
sent 10 the Army Air Corps depot at
Fairfield, Ohio, for repairs.
Three Planes Total Wrecks.
Three other planes will be sent to the
Air Corps depot at Middletown, Pa,
for major .overhauling and rebuilding.
The remaining three planes are damag-
ed beyond repair. These are two
Douglas observation planes. one Of them
assigned to Col. G. G. Culver, command
ing officer Of Langley Field, who was
here on an official visit when the storm
occurred, and the third is De Haviland
obserVation plane from Kelly Field, Tex.
The Martin bomber, which was dam=
aged when privately-owned CONNER
cial plane was blown against it, was
repaired yesterday and flown back TO
It's home station al Langley Field The
commercial plane. which attacked
the bomber and broke itself TO pieces,
was acquired Saturday morning by
Carl v. Scnlaet Of Saugatuck. Conn.
He had plannad u making fight 70
York, paN MStfrAAy, Schaet coulu
not be located this morning.
Mai. Howard G. Davidson, command
ing officer Of Boiling Field. said it was
his belief the Government has no
liability growing out of the destruction
Of the commercial planes, as all the
craft were damaged bys'an act Of God"
Maj Davidson had before him today
O graphic chart showing the manner in
which the planes were picked up of
the line. the distance they covered on
their involuntary fight and their posi-
tons after the storm.