TERRIBLE BALLOON ACCIDENT.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7215, 28 November 1888, Page 6

TERRIBLE BALLOON ACCIDENT.

A terrible balloon accident Is reported from Canada. At the Central Canada Exhibition at Ottawa one of the attractions was a balloon ascent in which Professor Williams, after reaching a height of 1000 ft, was to descend by means of a parachute. Polly £000 persons were in the grounds to witness the performance. Many persons were holding on to the balloon while it was being inflated, and waiting for the word to be given to let go. Among them was a young man named Wenaley, who was holding on to a rope running around the bottom of the balloon. When all was ready the Professor shouted "Let go, -when, to the surprise of every one, Wenaley still kept his hold on the rope, deaf to all the cries of the crowd to drop. After he had reached the height of abont 50ft he shouted twice, appearing to have realised the perilous situation se was in. It was, however, too late. While the balloon was rapidly ascending he kept his grasp and endeavoured to raise his leg through the rope to obtain firmer support. After he had reached a height of about 1000 ft he -was seen;by the breathless crowd below to draw himself up as if making a last effort to save himself, and then hie hold relaxed, and with lightning speed he descended towards the earth. At this point the excitement among the crowd was beyond description; women fainted, and a panic was bat narrowly averted. Daring the first part of the fall Wensley came feet foremost, but he suddenly turned a somersault, and struck the earth with outstretched arms and legs about 300 yards from the spot where the balloon ascended. The body was disfigured almost beyond recognition, and neck,arms and legs were broken. Life must have been extinct before the ground was reached. Professor - Williams, ignorant of the terrible accident, cut adrift from his balloon to commence his descent about twenty seconds after Wensley fell.