The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-07-15
AVIATOR
FALLS 800 FEET

Earl sandt, one OF Berger's bird
men who was to appear at the big
aviation meet July %, %. and "a, met
what may prove fatal accident In
his fall OF 300 feet at Conneaut, Lake,
Pa, Sunday. This sad accident will
not In any way interfere with the
meet here as Mr.. Oscar Bind!ey will
positively appear, He Is holder OF the
altitude record OF II 800 feet. One 9th.
er OF Berger's worlds greatest bird
men will also appear.
EXPOSITION PARK CONNEAUT
bAFE, pa. ,THly 15.-Earl Sandt, the
youthful Brookville, Pa, aviator, who
recently made successful flight ov-
er Pittsburgh had miraculous es-
cape from death shortly after o'clock
yesterday when his Curtis bipiane
turned turtle and crashed Is feet to
the ground.
That he was saved from instant
death was probably due to his own
presence OF mind when the machine
started on its descent. Realizing that
he was unable 10 keep his machine
In the air, Sandt attempted to vol
plane to the ground. Rahter than
make direct drop. with the proba-
bilities OF being pinioned under the
heavy engines, he threw the aelrons
out as far as possible, Mt the same
time releasing his shoulder straps.
With the machine in perpendicular
position, he threw himself from his
seat, striking the ground a few feet
from the heavy engine.
Ribs Broken; Ankle Fractured. =.
Automobiles quickly reached the
scene of the accident and he was lift
cd Frc", the &reckage OF the machine
and taken to the Coneaut Hotel where
he reHh!*td ,mcdIcal attention. He
sustained extensive, shocks through
out thetbbtf9L dT4cNrEet tlrflyht an.
kle, confusion of the chest, two brok-
en- ribs anduA fraetuyet anklfy fhould
no complications set lIt the attending.
physician is hopeful OF his recovery.
The intrepid birdman had given one
Of, the most brilliant fights ever seen
ri ihes biz sfrMmer resort at 2 o'clock
This afternoon and 70 please the
etowds decided to give another thrill
ler atil.q'clock this evening.
sstast4dS insHisb Wi1dfbiH,
The aviator took his seat in the BIZ
plane and was cheered by,the- thou
sands OF people in the park. 4 j,pag
Ship Would not Rise in Air. -
After testing ,tHeS7Ps horsepower, s.
cylinder engine, sa6dt TOOK his seat
hind gave the. signal for, bis mechan-
les to let 90: He' giIied' along the
ro,iahs turf1for so yards and grad
rough turf OF the enclosure for 30
yards and gradually rose into the air,
barely clearing the trees and hedges
at, the, lower turn, When about 100
yards from the fair grounds his en-
CINE began to miss. The large throng
held their breaths as they saw the
young aviator attempting TO force the
machine higher into the air, but hiE
efforts we're, IN vain. The right wing
dipped toward the ground and the ma
chine suddenly began to drop.
Y, Crowd pashes to Rescue,
fAs the crowd saw the machine drop
and disappear from view, they started
on run for the scene, Automobiles
misrepresentation use and started on
e mad dash towards Linch's farm
where the machine had fallen.
! r. 9. Cummings sandts manager
was one OF the first TO reach the
wreckage In the midst of the wreck
age Sandt was found In semtconsct
Gus condition, the heavy engine lying
nearby. Cummings with tears stream.
ing down his cheeks and aided by
many willing hands carried Sandt to
;" waiting automobile. which conveyed
the aviator, to his hotel.