THOUSANDS ABE CAUGHT UNDER TENT.

Auckland Star, Issue XXXVI, 21 October 1905, Page 13

THOUSANDS ABE CAUGHT UNDER TENT.

DCKISG CIRCUS PERFORMANCE THE BIG CANVAS IS BLOWX DOWN, ENTEIjOPrSG THE CROWD. Caught in .the wet meshes pf the huge tent of Ringling's circus, which was blown down in the midst of the performance on the .afternoon of September ISth, 15,000 persons struggled frantically for means of escape. Slathers were separated from their children in the panic, babies were trampled on, and order was pot restored until the big tent had been cut to shreds. Then it was learned that two persons were tailed and fifty serionsly injured, of whom several may die.

Rain feU in torrents and the sides of the tent began to flap. The w ind increased and the crowd became uneasy. Suddenly there was a long rent in the roof of the tent and the wind rushed inside. The crowd started for the exits in. a panic, but before the first rush was over the wind had caught the big tent, poles, pegs and all, and spread it over the heads of the throng.

A scene of wild panic prevailed. Men, women and children struggled frantically for liberty, not realising that a sUi from a pocket knife would open a way through the canvas to freedom. Rows of seats tumbled with their human freight, and In the menagerie tent adjoining twenty auimal cages were overturned.

The roars of the captive lions and tigers mingled with the trumpeting of the elephants sounded ail over the tent, and soon the cry arose that the beasts were loose.

Mingled with the babel were the cries of the injured who were pinioned under the heavy poles and rows of seats. The employees of the circus, accustomed to coping quickly with starUing situations, rushed to the rescue, and with long knives siit the canvas which held the throng in bondage. Women and children were dragged to safety, and men, forgetting all consideration for the weaker victims, scrambled out as best they could, trampling those imprisoned under the canvas. Once outside, the injured persons were drenched with the rain, and the lightning, which flashed continually, created new terror. All the tents of the circus were torn to shreds by the fierce wind, and it Is reported that no more exhibitions will be given this season.