A NASTY DROP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3345, 11 October 1911, Page 8

A NASTY DROP.

FROM PARACHUTE TO HOTEL 1 DINING-ROOM. Cliarles Bennett-, 20 years old, a parachute jumper, was mortally injured at Atlantic City, U.ri.A., the other night when he plunged through the skylight over the dining room of the Mariborough-Blenheim Hotel. He was picked up by guests who had been seated at dinner, carried downstairs and rushed to the City Hospital, a block away. Bennett, who ascended in his balloon from the Million Dollar pier at 6 o'clock, applauded by a big crowd of spectators, shot up to an aiutuae estimated at 1500 feet. Then he ascended a double parachute drop that stirred the thousands along the Boardwalks and beach. wTien lie cut loose from the balloon he shot down several hundred leer uefore the umbrella top on which he staked his life opened. Half way to earth he loosened the second parachute and again seemed to be plunging to his death. When about 500 feet from the Boardwalk the parachute opened, but was swayed dangerously by air currents. 'i he parachute sailed along for several blocks and was then caught in a strong breeze which carried Bennett towards the spires of the big hotels. He just missed the Brcadwalk towers of the Hotel Traymore. A current sweeping between! that and the Mari-borough-Blenheim twisted' the craft until it seemed that the boy would be pitched on the heads of the people below. Persons who bad been watching him rushed for cover. By twists of bis body Bennett managed to swing the parachute around the Marlborough towers, but a current of air sweeping downward caught him and he was thrown on the glass roof The speed with which he struck the glass carried him through and he landed on tables in the r-com below. Guests scattered from the flying glass and then rushed to his assistance.

Bennett was barely breathing when picked up. A cry went up from the crowds outside when they saw him disappear following the crash. There was a rush to the front of the hotel, where the hundreds who had cheered him a, few seconds before saw bellboys carry him j out to place him in an automobile, which carried him to the hospital. Two weeks previously Bennett’s parachute was impaled on the steeple of a church when blown across the city.