PARACHUTIST HURT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 11

PARACHUTIST HURT

"CHARITY" JUMP CRASH

FALLS 30 FEET LIKE A STONE SYDNEY, Oct. 11

Australia's best-known parachutist, Benjamin Turner, aged 31, was injured when making a "charity" jump in Sydney. Caught by a downward current, he fell the last 30ft. like a stone. Turner has made hundreds of jumps in ail parts of the world and claims a world record of six jumps in 28$ minutes from the one aeroplane. He is technical director of Turner Parachute Proprietary, Limited, which is making large numbers of parachutes for the Koval Australian Air Force.

The jump was made as part of a Bed Cross programme being held at the Sydney Sports Ground. Turner intended to jump from the aeroplane at 2000 ft., but because of a high wind he bailed out at 1200 ft., so as to land in Centennial Park, and not he carried into a residential area. He tell 300 ft. before pulling the rip cord, then the wind swung him about like a pendulum. As he ncared the ground the parachute suddenly crumbled and he crashed on to his' back. His fiancee, Miss Jean Graham, was one of the first to reach him. When he recovered consciousness 10 minutes later he said: "How was the jumpr" Then lie asked for a cigarette. Taken to hospital, he was admitted suffering from concussion, internal injuries and a broken ankle.