PEART'S FATAL DIVE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 23

PEART'S FATAL DIVE.

Further particulars relating to Peart's fatal dive show that for a few minutes previous to taking his daring leap into space, Peart remained poised on his fragile platform, which was as usual erected high above the heads of tho people, tho elevation being, as estimated, 5.N8, from tho floor of tho tent. A Oft deep concrete tank had been provided, such as Peart had been used to divo into.

When tho usual signal that all was right, was made from the ring, the unfortunate man seemed to hesitate longer than lie had been wont to do during bis previous performances. ’When lie made bis dive, however, the splash of tho water seemed to indicate to tho audience that tho hazardous feat (which was llie last item on the programme) had once more been successfully performed. Tho circus staff saw at once that this was not tho ease. It was apparent immediately to them that tin's time tho descent into tho centre of tho tank had not been accurately effected, and that Peart had, instead of striking the water direct, struck the concrete wall. Peart was taken out of the tank groaning, and only semi-conscious, and lie was conveyed to isit. Vincent’s Hospital, whore a, superficial examination was made by tins members of the medical staff in attendance. Peart, however, never rallied, and succumbed at a little before 1 o’clock in tho morning, the immediate cause of death being the internal injuries and .shock to the system. This melancholy occurrence has much affected tho proprietors and other members of Fitzgerald Bros.’ circus staff, and lias thrown a general gloom over the commencement of the Sydney season.