"Ring of Death"

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7790, 15 March 1904, Page 3

"Ring of Death"

Shocking Accident While " Siotoring" the Hoop."

At Madrid, on Sunday, January 24.-th, Miss Min-a Alix, who- has been appearing for some time at the Circo _o Price, a well-conducted and pleasant English circus in Madrid, in her sensational performance of " hooping the hoop '' lr. a motor car, or, as it hits locally been termed, looping " the ring of death," met with a serious accident.

The circus, as is usual at matinee performances, was crowded with ladies and children. After a cmnic sketch Miss Alix -appeared, smiling and throwing kisses to the audience. She looked very pretty in her chauffeur's costume.

Her assistant, a young French engineer, pushed off the _iotor 7 car, opened the door through which it I passes en to the "hoop," and the vehicle sped with terrific speed down the incline. Up again on the other side it flew until just as it was about to reach the top, to the horror of the audience, it stopped and fell -b-a,ck into the "hoop." Miss Alix fell head downwards, her body striking the iron bar encircling the " hoop," whence it rebounded on to the stage, and again on to a number of the stage lamps, breaking several of them. Simultaneously many ol the electric lights went out. The motor-car followed the rider, falling, partly on her -body. The fact that she ic-.-bounded on to the stage lights saved -her from being crua'iecl to death by the car. PANIC-STRICKEN AUDIENCE. LAn indescribable sensation was caused, and cries of horror arose from evel'y' part of the building. Many ladies fainted', and a lArge number of spectators (led in a panic from the house* Others rushed, to pick up the unfortunate girl. She was lying unconscious in a pool of blood with two large wounds in her head, one at the back and another on the forehead, the bones being fractured. She was taken to a room in the theatre, which was found to be too dark for -her to receivo proper attention and medical aid. She was therefore carried by policemen- to a stretcher and taken to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the audience, restored to comparative calmness railed against the management for having allowed the performance, and invaded a neighbouring wine shop, whither many ol the ladies who had fainted had been taken to be revived.

The explanation of the accident is that the "bridge" had been repaired in the morning and two new planks placed in the track, and these not being sufficiently clastic prevented the automobile from attaining the speed necessary to take it round the " hoop."

Miss Alix has recovered consciousness, and 'hopes arc entertafciied ot saving her life. l>anger o£ complications, however, still exists, but she herself expresses her hope ot being ajblo to fulfil ■future contracts for the dangerous 'performance at Lisbon and Buncos Ay res. A DANGEROUS CAREER. Miss Mm a Alix was never in tho least concerned about the dan gov ot motoring the " hoop " ; on the contrary she} appeared to thoroughly enjoy its excitement. She made her first public appearance at tho Central Theatre, Jueipsig, last May, after two or three rehearsals. In the following month she came to London for an engagement at the Hippodrome, and although she could speak very little English, her cheery manner made dior a great favourite with the staff employed | there. She is below medium height, l being about sft 2in, is dark in apj pearance, and not yet eighteen | years of age, having been horn at I Berlin in October ISS6. The hoop that Miss Alix hooped in her motor was invented by Mr E. Giffardi, the one-legged cyclist, who used to take the high dive fntoi the Hippodrome tank. The hoop is GOft in circumference, and is approached by a railed trade sSft long, which slopes at an .angle of 42 degrees. The journey is made in five seconds. The speed attained by the car at a certain point was said to- 'be about 360 miles per 'minute, no ;.iotive force baing employed within the car.

During her visit to England last year Miss Alix had an accident at Liverpool that kept her at home for •a few days, and on more than one occasion slio was thrown from the car when it rebounded from the stopping n-et, which was usually fixed at tho end of the track 40it from the exit of the hoop.