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Monsieurs Rozier and Romain, the first people killed in an air accident – 15 June 1785

Published on 14 June 2013 by

The BNA
The BNA

On 15 June 1785, Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and Pierre Romain died when their hot air balloon (it was a mixture of hydrogen and hot air) exploded while they were attempting to cross the English Channel.

Read newspaper reports about the accident

To mark their bravery in attempting such a feat, we’ve posted a contemporary newspaper report about the tragedy.

Derby Mercury – Thursday 16 June 1785
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Read other newspaper reports about the accident

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The BNA
The BNA

News from the British Newspaper Archive

Published on Fri, 14 June 2013.

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