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
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Read other newspaper reports about the accident
