RISKY PROFESSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 2 May 1935, Page 10

RISKY PROFESSION

AN EXPERT PARACHUTIST (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, 14th March. The sudden death of John Trnnum, the famous parachutist, suggests that making a hobby, or a profession, of dropping from great heights may have bad effects on the heart. Tranum was the greatest living expert in this queer pursuit. One summer he toured England, and dropped on about two hundred different towns. At that time lie had practically no rivals, and his fee was £25 a drop. But the good pay, for that* sum worked out at handsome remuneration per minute, soon drew competitors into the parachuting business, and rates dropped steadily, till they reached so low as £5 a descent, and eycn at last, about £2. With commendable alacrity the Air Ministry intervened to stop stunt parachuting in the form of wing, walking on low-flying planes, otherwise heaven knows how many daring or needy adventurers might have been risking their own and other people’s necks. But even wing-walking is healthy by comparison with things done for a few dollars by the horde of hard cases who haunt Hollywood’s film studios. They understudy the big-salary stars when the film demands anything really risky.