Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1910 — BALLOCN FALLS; FIVE MEN KILLED [ARTICLE]

BALLOCN FALLS; FIVE MEN KILLED

Victims Are Oscar Erbsloeh and Four Companions. Oscar Erbsloeh, the noted German aeronaut, and four companions were killed when the dirigible balloon Erbsloeb burst at a great height and dropped to the earth a crumpled mass The accident happened in Rhenish Prussia. The dead are Oscar Erbsloeh, inventor and balloonist; Herr Toelle, a manufacturer of Barmen; Engineer Kranz. Engineer Hoeppe and Motorman Spicke. There have been various opinions as to the height of the craft when the explosion occurred, but it is said to have been about 1.000 feet. The fatal flight started from Dusseldorf early in the morning and the dirigible swung along before the breeze for forty-five minutes, then observers saw the great gas bag crumple up in mid-air and the car underneath hurtled earthward. Falling from such a great height, the bodies of the five men were so mangled as to be unrecognizable when soldiers and physicians reached the spot. The car itself was shattered to fragments. There were few eyewitnesses of the accident. According to these the start was well made. The Erbsloeh rose gracefully, pushing its way through the fog to a height of several hundred yards. At this altitude a series of evolutions was begun. Suddenly there was a loud report, and at the same moment the forepart of the balloon crumpled up and the gondola was twisted about until it appeared as though standing on end. As the gas escaped from the forward compartment the prow swayed downward. For a flash the airship fluttered like a wounded bird and then fell swiftly to earth. Erbsloeh and his companions were killed the second they ■truck ground.' Their heads were battered in and every bone was broken An examination of the wreckage showed that the benzine tank had burst, tearing to ahreads the rubber envelope directly above it. The destruction of this envelope eaused the bow to collapse. The stern compartment was still filled with gas when it struck the ground. Oscar Erbsloeh is well known in the United States. In October. 1907, he won the St. Louis balloon races as pilot of the great German balloon Pommern No. 1. Nine balloons and their crews took part in the great contest, which attracted the attention of the world.