AN AERONAUT'S TERRIBLE DEATH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 4460, 29 August 1889, Page 4

AN AERONAUT'S TERRIBLE DEATH.

On Tuesday night, July 16, Professor Higgins and Miss De Voy wore announced to make a balloon ascent from the Manchester racecourse, and to descend by means of parachutes. Miss De Voy did not make the ascent, bat the Professor went up, and his assistant, a man named Lennox, also ascended, but iu the car attached to the balloon. Professor Higgles descended from a great height in Alexandre Park, falling into the ornamental pond there, bnt was unhurt. The balloon then went over towards Barnage, and suddenly collapsing, fell, Lennox being killed. The balloon Is said to have bnrst when approaching or passing over Fallowfield. The pace at which the balloon was descending wss so terrific that the sand, instead of falling earthwards, actually streamed up into the air as tbe balloon ehot np through it, and as it was flying Upwards it had the appearance of smoke issuing frcm the balloon. A Mr Linton, who Baw the balloon pass over Fallowfield, states that at that time ho saw the man Lennox out on the netting which enclosed the silk portion of tho balloon, climbiog np to the top of the balloon. Evidently he had then discovered that the gas was fast leaving the balloon at the top, and was making a desperate effort to remedy the Injury. When the 'balloon had descended to a distance of Bome four or five hundred yards from the ground the silk portion collapsed entirely, and the balloon then presented the appearance of an elongated cigar. A few seconds later the balloon fell with a terrific thud in a field. Two or three men at once rushed to the spot and tried to get the man from beneath the car. Apparently tbe car had fallen straight on to the ground, and the whole of the upper part of the balloon had fallen on Lennox, completely covering him. It did not take tbe willing helpers long to remove the silk envelope, netting, etc., from above Lennox, bot when they reached his body he gave not the slightest sign of life. One of his legs was twisted and broken, and he was badly cut about the face and head. He had apparently been instantaneously killed.