Parachute Tragedy.

LADY AERONAUT DASHED TO DEATH AT SHEFFIELD.

A lady parachutist named Miss Edith Brookes met with a terribledeath at Sheffield on May 20th. • The unfortunate woman was a .younger sister of Miss Maude Brookes, a well-known parachutist. Thelatter a day or two previously made a successful ascent at the gala «held at the Wednesday Football Olub's ground at Owlerton, rising to a height of about 3000ft., 'and, alighting safely near Neepsend Station, oh the great Central Railway, about amiie* and a-half from the ground. The balloon, however, was somewhat seriously injured by falling on the roof of a house, and there was a doubt whether the second ascent advertised for the second day of the gala yesterday could be made. Unfortunately, as it was proved, Miss Brookes and her • manager, Lieutenant Lempriere, were able 1 to repair the balloon, and it was decided that the younger sister Edith should make the ascent. When a start was made at twenty minutes to eight a nice breeze was blowing, and thousand of spectators inside and outside the greund were eagerly anticipating another successful performance. Amid hearty cheers the balloon soared aloft, but when it had reached a hoight estimated 'at no more than 700 ft. the onlookers were surprised to see the occupant of the car tugging at the ropes holding the parachute. PARACHUTE FAILS TO OPEN. A moment later Miss Brookes dropped from the balloon, and it was quickly realised that nothing out a miracle could avert a tragedy.; Practically the only danger attaching to a descent of this kind- is the failure of the parachute to open, and this is what happened. i Usually the parachute, opens after falling about 200 feet, but last night to the horror of the spectators the huge canvas dropped/ as one spectator graphically described it, "like a wet rag." It could be seen -that Miss Brookes was trying to pull the ropes, but when still some considerable distance from the ground she appeared ' to turn over,' and continuing to fall at great speed, was dastted to the • grouna in Hillsborough Park, only a few hundred yards from the field from which she had ascended. Lieutenant Lempriere and the organiser of the gala were almost immediately on the spot. Miss Brookes was still alive when picked up, but expired in a few moments. The tragedy created a painful sensation, in the neighbourhood, and the ■ gala was, of course, abandoned.