BALLOONING ACCIDENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 367, 19 April 1910, Page 5

BALLOONING ACCIDENTS.

HORRORS OF THE AIR. A FEARFUL FALL. EIGHT BALLOONISTS PERISH IN FOURTEEN DAYS. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Received April 18, 11.5 p.m. Berlin, April 18. A balloon ascended at Bittertield, Prussia, audi lightning caused it to explode, tearing the gas bag into ribbons'. Villagers of Reiciiensacliscn heard tJie crash and thought it was merely thunder and lightning, and so slept till morning. They discovered the shattered ear and the lour ibodies of the aeronauts, who apparently survived the lightning. All tneir fists were clenched and their faces convulsed with Horror, realising their impending death as' they plunged earthwards. Eight halloonists have been killed n Germany during the past fortnight, besides many minor accidents. There have recently sprung into existence balloon clubs h every large town, which accounts for the largeness of the number of accidents. As a result of the Bitterfield disaster it has been decided that the Imperial Aero Club shall issue a code of precautions. CAUGHT IN A THUNDERSTORM. London, April 1". Maitland's balloon, with a lady passenger, ascended at the Crystal Pal ice, and when 2000 feet up a thunder ar.d hailstorm prevented it reaching an open space. It was driven on to the hoiisttops at Islington and thence fell in a back garden. Neither of the occupants was hurt. A SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE. Perth, April P. A balloonist named Selhbe had a .-eiisational experience. His balloon caught fire, but ihe escaped .before the fire »-n a proper hold. It carried for 500 feet in the air, and he managed to cut away his parachute, and fell to within 80 f°et oi the ground before it opened. „ He escaped unscathed.