This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-36352962
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Hot-air balloon 'burst into flames' in Northamptonshire | Hot-air balloon 'burst into flames' in Northamptonshire |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A woman has been taken to hospital after a hot-air balloon crashed and burst into flames in a field. | A woman has been taken to hospital after a hot-air balloon crashed and burst into flames in a field. |
The balloon came down at about 07:30 BST near the B573 at Earls Barton, Northamptonshire. Eyewitnesses reported seeing sparks as it passed an electricity pylon. | The balloon came down at about 07:30 BST near the B573 at Earls Barton, Northamptonshire. Eyewitnesses reported seeing sparks as it passed an electricity pylon. |
A female passenger who is believed to have suffered burns was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. | |
Police have handed the inquiry to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. | Police have handed the inquiry to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. |
One eyewitness, Ian, said the balloon came close to a car-boot sale in Earls Barton. | One eyewitness, Ian, said the balloon came close to a car-boot sale in Earls Barton. |
He said: "We were at the car boot this morning at Whites Nursery and a hot-air balloon came over and there was a lady and gentleman - they were waving at everyone. | He said: "We were at the car boot this morning at Whites Nursery and a hot-air balloon came over and there was a lady and gentleman - they were waving at everyone. |
"It suddenly disappeared over towards the trees and then burst into flames and over towards the ground." | "It suddenly disappeared over towards the trees and then burst into flames and over towards the ground." |
Wendy Rousell, the secretary of the British Balloon and Airship Club, said incidents such as this were "very rare in the UK". | Wendy Rousell, the secretary of the British Balloon and Airship Club, said incidents such as this were "very rare in the UK". |
"There are 20 balloons in Northamptonshire and they can fly all over the county when weather permits, and this morning's conditions were perfect." | "There are 20 balloons in Northamptonshire and they can fly all over the county when weather permits, and this morning's conditions were perfect." |
At the scene: BBC Northampton reporter Kris Holland | At the scene: BBC Northampton reporter Kris Holland |
The balloon came down near a car-boot sale at Whites Nurseries in Earls Barton and those who saw it say they saw blue sparks as it hit power cables. | The balloon came down near a car-boot sale at Whites Nurseries in Earls Barton and those who saw it say they saw blue sparks as it hit power cables. |
I've been told that after seeing the spark, the canopy caught fire and the balloon plummeted around 100 ft through the air into the field. | |
Some eyewitnesses said the pair were throwing gas canisters out of the balloon's basket as it crashed. | |
We are still unsure as to how many passengers were in the basket. | |
Police have confirmed that one woman was injured and many people on the ground are saying a second passenger, a male, was visible when it flew over the car boot sale. I have been told that he was not seriously injured in the crash but that has not been confirmed by police. | |
Are you in the area? Did you witness the events? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |