Miss Edith Brookes, a well-known parachutist, was killed at Sheffield on Tuesday evening. Miss Brookes made an ascent from the Wednesday football ground at Owlerton, in the presence of thousands of people, who were horrified to see that, after she cast herself free from the balloon, the parachute did not open. Deceased was 23 years of age and is said to have possessed exceptional nerve.
A descent on Monday was accomplished with perfect success, and no difficulty was anticipated on Tuesday.
The parachute, it is asserted, was tested three times before Miss Brookes went up, and the balloon is also declared to have been in good condition.
The aeronaut jumped when she was at altitude of 2,500 feet. The parachute opened very slightly, and then turned over a little, and never became inflated with air. Miss Brookes was seen to be turning round as if the rope was twisted, and the parachute only was turning.
Everybody hoped that at the last moment Miss Brookes’ rapid descent would be checked, but the parachute never opened, and the lady dropped to the ground with a tremendous thud, practically every bone in her body being fractured. The accident created great excitement.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette – Friday 23 May 1902
