Free subgroups of small cancellation groups (Q1095258)

\textit{D. J. Collins} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 26, 193-206 (1973; Zbl 0262.20035)] showed that if \(G=<x;r>\), where the presentation satisfies the C(4), T(4) small cancellation conditions, then, with a few exceptions, G has a free subgroup of rank 2. The exceptions are all 2- generator groups. In this paper the author gives a very simple proof of Collins' result in the case when G cannot be generated by less than three elements. The proof makes use of the star-complex of the presentation [see \textit{P. Hill}, \textit{S. J. Pride} and \textit{A. D. Vella}, Isr. J. Math. 52, 293-304 (1985; Zbl 0584.20026)].