TRAGEDY OF THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 795, 19 April 1910, Page 5

TRAGEDY OF THE AIR

FOUR DEATHS. BALLOONISTS' TERRIBLE FALL IN GERMANY. SLEEPING VILLAGERS HEARD A CRASH. By Telecraph—Press AsEoctation-CoDjrlelli. (Eec. April 18, 1115 p.m.) Berlin, April 18. A balloon which ascended at night time at Bitterfeld, Prueeja, *'as caught in. a thunderstorm, and the lightning caused the gas to explode, tearing the envelope to ribbons. The villagers of Reichen-6achsen heard a CTash. They, thought it was caused by the lightning,- and they slept on till mojning. . When day dawned, they discovered a shattered oar and four bodies. The aeronauts had survived the explosion caused Ky the lightning, and had been killed by tho terrible fall. All of them, had their fists clenched, and their faces were convulsed with horror, realising their impending death as they plunged earthwards. . Eight balloonists have been killed in Germany within a fortnight, besides many minor accidents reported recently. The existence of a balloon club in every large town accounts for the largeness of the number of accidents. The Bitterfeld disaster has caused the Imperial Aero Club to decide to issue a code of precautions. A BALLOON AMONG CHIMNEY-POTS. AERONAUT AND LADY ESCAPE. London, April 17. An aeronaut named Maitland, accompanied by a lady, made an ascent in his I balloon at the Crystal Palace.

When at a height of 200 ft. thunder and a hailstorm prevented thra teaching an open space, the balloon being driven among the housetops at Islington. Getting away from there eventually, it fe.U in a back garden.

The aeronaut and his companion escaped unhurt. ' '

ON FIRE AT 500 FEET. v PABACHUTE WOBKED JUST IN , '■ ' .' TIME. Ptsrth, April 18. A balloonist.named Selhbt had a sensational experience.; His balloon caught fire" and escaped before he had got a proper, hold, and he was carried 500 feet into the air. ' ,■ ; . However, he managed to cat away the parachute, and fell to within eighty feet of the ground before the paraohute opened. He escaped unscathed. THE CLEMENT-BAYARD DIRIGIBLE. FRANCE CLAIMS OPTION.' : " Paris, April 17. The French Government claims tub option of purchase of the Clement-Bayard dirigible balloon, which is being, completed in France, and is 6hortly, expected to arrive in London. . '■■..■•'-., The inventor; is building in England another balloon of the same fype. •