Man in his 20s killed after hot air balloon catches fire and falls to the ground
25 June 2023, 15:22 | Updated: 25 June 2023, 16:52
A man has been killed after a hot air balloon caught fire and crashed into the ground.
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West Mercia Police said it was told at 6.20am that the craft came down near Ombersley in Worcestershire.
A man in his 20s was pronounced dead by paramedics and his family is being supported by specialist officers.
Nobody else was injured in the incident.
An eyewitness told Sky News: "There was a flash and what looked like a fireball coming from a blue balloon and it just dropped like a stone.
"My wife heard terrible screaming and then silence."
A hot air balloon festival was held on Friday and Saturday in Worcester, some seven miles away, but organisers said they could not comment at the time.
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An accident near Ombersley, Worcestershire involving a balloon was reported to the AAIB this morning and we are deploying a team to the site.
— AAIB (@aaibgovuk) June 25, 2023
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has opened an investigation.
A spokesperson said: "We have a team on site and are beginning our investigation."
The British Balloon and Airship Club said it is supporting the AAIB investigation and sent its condolences.
A spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved at this time."
