Balloon accident at Sheffield.
On Monday, 19th May 1902 this gas filled balloon was being flown over the Owlerton area of Sheffield with a parachutist demonstrating the parachute to spectators on the ground at the Sheffield Wednesday football ground. She made three descents on this day but after the third the balloon landed on a house roof and was slightly damaged. It was recovered and repaired so that on the following day further flights were planned. Unfortunately after rising to around 700 feet the parachute failed to open and the young lady attached to it was killed when she hit the ground in Hillsborough Park. The pilot and owner of the balloon was "Professor" Lt. George Philip Lempriere who, at that time, was reasonably famous.
Parachutist - Miss Edith Brooks. Aged 23. Buried Kirkdale Cemetery, Liverpool.
Edith Brooks and her sister Maude Brooks were exhibiting parachutists. Maude was more well known than her younger sister and had been making descents for many years but was unable to attend the event in Sheffield owing to another booking so Edith attended in her place. These were her first ever descents. Her death occurred during the first jump of the second day.