ALARMING BALLOON ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6829, 6 October 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

ALARMING BALLOON ACCIDENT.

A balloon accident, .which was very nearly attended with fatal consequences, occurred near Vienna recently. An aeronaut named Silberer, accompanied by two gentleman, {Messrs Leitner and Schittenbelm), neither of whom had the slightest knowledge of • aeronautics, ascended from the Prater. A change of wind drove them towards the lower valley of the Danube, and a regular hurricane fcroke out. The car was at this time within a few feet of the ground, but was hurled along "with such velocity that the peasants who had gathered from all directions were unable to render assistance. . Meanwhile the three . voyagers, whose position was becoming every Moment more critical, were jolted about in the wicker cage, thrown off their legs, and - finable to handle the anchor, or gay-valve— their only hope of rescue. They got so unfortunately entangled that M. Silberer, who alone know how to regulate the escape of gas, had only his left arm free, act! was entirely helpless. On drifted the balloon, -until its headlong course was for a moment arrested by the protruding branches of a huge oak. One of tho balloonists. wa3 thrown out, and had a most miraculous escape, receiving only a few slight injuries. The weight being' thns reduci-d, the machine hurried on with the same fearful rapidity, till it came' in • contact with a substantial brick wall, in which it made a large breach. It then' crossed a graveyard, knocking over tombstones and iron crosses. One shock more . violent than the rest precipitated M. Leitner "to the ground, where he lay stunned by the fall, having sustained severe internal andexternal injuries.' A minute later the balloon, slackened its speed, and.M. Silberer had ' retained j ast sufficient strength' to secure the anchor and to alight. It is hoped, that M. Leitner's injuries may not prove fatal, but his condition is Berious,