AN EXPLODED BALLOON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2423, 11 February 1909, Page 4

AN EXPLODED BALLOON.

AERONAUT SEVERELY INJURED.

It was with a vague sense of coming excitement, and not a little curiosity, that a number of people wended their way yesterday afternoon to Victoria Domain to witness Captaiu Jonassen make a balloon ascent, for there was that spice ol' danger about the performance that always appeals to an adventure-loving public. But few of those present anticipated that the ascent would end in so disastrous a fashion to the actor chiefly concerned. The balloon was situated in the western corner of the Domain, and was 4 held in position by stout ropes attached to long poles, and was inflated by .means of hot air. This was obtained by building, a few yards away, a temporary furnace, in which burned a fierce fire, and from this the hot air was forced through a tunnel and into the balloon. This took some considerable time, but by a quarter to four all was finally ready. The parachute was attached to the sphere, and then Captain Jonassen, clad in a suit of pink tights, gave the command “Stand clear; let go.” The crowd gave a cheer, arid with a wave of his hat and a pleasant smile the daring aeronaut shot up into the air at an incredible speed, suspended from a light trapeze bar by only his left knee and left hand. There was a longdrawn “Ah-h-h” from the spectators as the light breeze caught the balloon and swung it in a southerly direction. When about 200 feet in the air a volume of smoke suddenly issued from the balloon and it was instantly perceived that it had exploded. It commenced to fall rapidly, and the intrepid aerial navigator was descried hanging by his hands to the trapeze and struggling in a vain attempt to secure his balance. He .was unable to loosen the parachute as he was riot at a sufficient height to obtain the necessary velocity to cause its expansion. Nearing the earth the descent became very rapid, and the nerouaut fell to the ground in the golf rinks with tremendous force. A “Times” reporter was the first on the scene, and he found Captain Jonassen rolling on the ground m an pain. Apart from the severe shock of the fall, the aeronaut had received a compound fracture of both bones of bis left leg, and severe dislocation of the ankle. Sergeant Hutton and Constables Pratt and Dandy were quickly at hand, and, with Mr. C. F. Lewis, rendered first aid. A stretcher was requisitioned from Victoria Domain,- and the sufferer was speedily conveyed in a vehicle to the Hospital. An examination of the balloon by the pressman afterwards showed that it was badly ripped and that- the material was very weak. It appears that the poles which held the sphere in place were not sufficiently long, and it was therefore suspended too low. Consequently, with the inrush of extremely hot air, the covering, which is of 'silk and cotton material, became scorched. As the balloon ascended, the pressure of cold air, entering'through the opening at the bottom, compressed the hot air and the scorched poi*tion of the covering was too weak to successfully resist the strain. Captain Jonassen stated to the pressman that the fall was so sudden and unexpected that he had not sufficient time to save himself. Being an acrobat of no mean order, he can usually fall so as not to injure himseif, and even when using the parachute he has to preapre himself for the parchute invariably collapses when about 20ft from earth, and the final descent is always sudden. Notwithstanding his injury yesterday, Captain Jonassen was entirely self-possessed, and while lying on his back, although suffering untold pain, expressed his regret to the crowd that collected around that lie had been unable to complete his exhibition. Ho would endeavor, be said, to make another ascent as soon as he had recovered, and he hoped he would not then disappoint them. A subscription list in aid of the Captain has been opened at the Coronation Hotel. . Late inquiries at the Hospital found that the sufferer was progressing favorably. He was just then reviving from an anaesthetic, which had been administered to him while his injuries were being attended to. It will probably lie over a month before Captain Jonassen will be about again.