The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1911-06-22
KILLED IN AIR RACE
THREE AviAToRs DEAD, FIVE
INJURED IN WORLD THRILL
ING EVENT.
200 SPECTATORS ARE HURT
Million People Watch Tragic Start OF
Flight From vlncennes, France, to
London and Return for Prizes
TotaIing $4,000.

Paris.The beginning at Vincennef
Of the greatest race through the air
ever witnessed was tragically marked
by the death OF three aviators and the
injury to Eve others, one probably
fatally. Over 200 spectators were
also moro or less injured
Sixty airnen had been entered in
this contest. of whom fifty took wing,
In spite Of the catastrophes with which
this, the greatest Of European cross
country fights, was inaugurated.
Ten OF the competitors were obliged
to abandon the contest for one rea-
son or another before they few be-
yond the confines of the park.
The dead are:
Captain Princeteau, one Of the most
distinguished French military avia-
tors. The motor of his monoplane.
which had been acting balky before
the start. exploded In midair within a
few minutes after his craft left the
ground. The benzine poured over the
aviator, burning him to death.
NJ LIE Martin, Bleriots favorite and
most skillful pilot. 1t was known that
the steering gear of his craft was not
In order when he started Getting be-
yond control almost as soon as he
rose, the monoplane collided with a
great oak tree The motor feal on the
aviator's head, crushing his skull.
M. Lendron, one OF the most popular
nj - TH,-.x T. No.
miles when the fuel of tho reservoir
Of his monoplane exploded. The ma.
chine was entirely consumed and the
aviator was burned to death.
The injured are:
M. Gaubert, who entered the race
under the name Of Ealgar. He had
been an officer in the French army.
The aviator was found senseless un-
der his machine in wheat field near
Villars-C oterets. His injury will
probably be fatal.
M. Billie, whose monopiane crashed
to the ground mile from the start
and was entirely wrecked. The avia-
tor was painfully injured
M Morrison fell near Gagny; M. Nor
in near Chevron, and M. Jordan near
Charleville. Their craft were wrecked
and the avia.ors were badly shaken
up, but their injuries are not serious.
The scene Of the start was the same
park in Vincennes where the late
French minister of war met death in
the Paris-Madrid flight start four
weeks ago. Here, also. Laffort and
Pola were killed in the wreck Of their
Antoinette monoplane last December.
in spite Of these wasning tragedies
the mob Of spectators, numbering L.
100000 persons, surged on the field he
fore, the start. 1t was while driving
back the throng that the spectators
were injured more or less.
The European race Is for a purse
totaling $4,000 The course leads
over France, Belgium. Holland and
England with two crossings of the
English channel. The end, as the be-
ginning. is at Vincennes. The total
distance is about $50 miles. On ac-
count OF the favorable topography OF
the country 1t was predicted that this
would be the most successful as we'll
as the least dangerous of all cross.
country European races.
Nearly all the famous aviators of
Europe were entered and made their
starts. For America especial interest
centers in little Roland Garros, the
hero Of the Paris-Rome fight, who
started in spite of the contrary ac-
tons of his monoplane