PARACHUTIST’S LEAP TO DEATH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 77, 23 November 1912, Page 6

PARACHUTIST’S LEAP TO DEATH.

TERR I DLE PICTU RE FILM FATALITY IN BERLIN. Ehrich Buettner, a cinematograph actor, whilst attempting a parachute llight before a camera from the top of Seiges Alee, Berlin, fell 136 ft. from the upper gallery to the roof of the Colonado. Ho must have been killed instantly', for nearly every bone in his body was, found to be broken. The tragedy, wliicli occurred whilst

tliCw-Thiergarten was comparatively empty during the hours of morning service, appears to have been due to a faulty attachment of the parachute. Buettner, who is said to have had previous parachute experience, arranged with the cinematograph film firm by whom lie is permanently engaged to execute a (light from the balcony of the well-known column of Victory, approximately 170 ft. from the ground. The police gave the necessary permit, but on application being made to the Alinistry of Public Works, which controls the, building, for keys to the staircase and balcony, permission to execute the flight was refused, and the guardian of the column was instructed to prevent the parachutist entering the building. Buettner, nevertheless, managed to gain admittance through the assistance of a locksmith, whom lie employed to open a portion of the iron railing round the balcony. The cinematographist was posted inconspicuously under the trees below the statue. Buettner then attached the parachute to his hack whilst* the operator began turning the handle. /'Finally Buettner jumped outwards from the platform. For some reason the parachute refused to open, and Buettner fell at terrific speed upon the roof of the colonnade of pillars surrounding the column. The whole catastrophe was recorded, by the machine. The fire brigade was hastily summoned, but their ladder proved insufficient to reach the body, and a patent expanding ladder had to he brought and supported on the steps. Buettner was found with a broken neck and spine and other injuries. The accident closely resembles the tragedy of the Eiffel Tower some months ago.