Balloon "Isle of the Air" accident at Hull.

On Monday, 21st May 1877 a gas filled balloon named "Isle of the Air" owned by Benjamin Medcalf was to have been flown with a car suspended below it at a gala in Hull to entertain a large crowd. The fete was organised by James Henry Wood and doesn't appear to have been anything other than a business venture. The location appears to have been in a field behind Harley Street, near the Brunswick Estate (also described as being on the eastern end of Providence Row) off Beverley Road. A large crowd had gathered in the field and while there was a rope fencing off the balloon some members of the crowd broke this down to gain better access to the balloon, these were mainly children. When the owner of the balloon and an assistant, James Whittaker, were preparing themselves for the flight the balloon dragged the balloon against what was termed a "striking machine" causing the side of the balloon to rip and the gas inside to escape. Unfortunately it then capsized onto a pea stall around thirty feet away. An iron basket on the stall had a coke fire in it, this caused the escaping gas to ignite and cover between numerous people with flames, mainly children. Anywhere up to ninty people were injured, many were boys who were holding the ropes of the balloon prior to the planned flight. The balloon was destroyed but the owner and the other man in the car escaped injury as the car they were in was up-wind of the fire. Other people were trampled in the panic to escape the fire. Forty people were taken to hospital, with around six being severely injured and one girl later died. The names recorded below are those listed as injured in the newspapers of the time. One girl died the following evening, she was found underneath the pea stall that caused the fire. The balloon stated to have been planned for use at this Gala was named "Isle of the Air" but there is a suggestion in the inquest that Medcalf actually brought the smaller and older balloon "The Queen" instead. The only fatality I can find lived on Goodwin Street, Hull which was probably destroyed during the Second World War, it was just west of Walker Street.

Bystander - Miss Lucy Ann Hanson, aged 13. Died 22nd May 1877. Of Goodwin Street, Anlaby Road. Burial location unknown, probably Hull Western Cemetery.

Henry Woodcock, aged 14.

Richard Milner, aged 13. Greviously injured.

James / Joseph Andrews, aged 14.

Annie Parr, aged 1.

Daniel Winn / Wynn.

Charles Snowden, aged 14.

Edward Fairfield, aged 13.

George Leach / Beech, aged 26.

William Boddy, aged 13.

Arthur Dixon, aged 15.

Thomas Abbey, aged 22.

Walter Hewson / Henson, aged 13.

George H Haigh, aged 18.

Samuel Holmes, aged 14.

Charles Pape, greviously injured.

Francis Brodrick.

Samuel Street, aged 4.

William Robinson, aged 18, grievously injured.

Martin Pinchbrook.

W. Hall.

W Penny.

E W Wilson.

Henry Smith, in charge of the Striking Machine.

Mrs Smith.

John Culkin, aged 16.

John Lambert, aged 15.

William Hall, aged 12.

Mrs Gardiner.

Ed Turner.

James Ellis.

Fred Story Thomas.

Arthur Leak, aged 2.

Neville Ayres.