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Hot-air balloon hits power lines at Wellingborough trapping three | Hot-air balloon hits power lines at Wellingborough trapping three |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A hot-air balloon crashed into power lines in Northamptonshire, trapping a woman and two men 15m in the air. | A hot-air balloon crashed into power lines in Northamptonshire, trapping a woman and two men 15m in the air. |
The balloon's canopy wrapped round live cables just after 18:00 BST on Sunday, at Bozeat near Wellingborough. | The balloon's canopy wrapped round live cables just after 18:00 BST on Sunday, at Bozeat near Wellingborough. |
Firefighters had to wait about four hours before receiving confirmation the power was off and beginning the rescue. | Firefighters had to wait about four hours before receiving confirmation the power was off and beginning the rescue. |
By 23:30 the three people had been brought safely back to the ground. They were treated by ambulance staff for minor injuries including burns. | By 23:30 the three people had been brought safely back to the ground. They were treated by ambulance staff for minor injuries including burns. |
'Quite a bang' | 'Quite a bang' |
Relatives gathered at the site ahead of the rescue attempt. | Relatives gathered at the site ahead of the rescue attempt. |
The pilot, 18-year-old Adam Griffiths, said: "We were coming in to approach a playing field but unfortunately we hit the power lines, which went with quite a bang. | The pilot, 18-year-old Adam Griffiths, said: "We were coming in to approach a playing field but unfortunately we hit the power lines, which went with quite a bang. |
"I'm not entirely sure how it happened, it's all a bit of a blur to be honest. | "I'm not entirely sure how it happened, it's all a bit of a blur to be honest. |
"We are all a bit cold from staying up there for so long and there are also a few minor specks of burns, but we are all fine. | "We are all a bit cold from staying up there for so long and there are also a few minor specks of burns, but we are all fine. |
"Things do go through your mind when you are stuck up there about what could have happened, but the main thing is that we are back down here and safe." | "Things do go through your mind when you are stuck up there about what could have happened, but the main thing is that we are back down here and safe." |
It took about 40 minutes for firefighters to complete the rescue once the power had been isolated. | It took about 40 minutes for firefighters to complete the rescue once the power had been isolated. |
Robin Porter, from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue, said: "We had to wait until the power lines had been earthed before we could carry out the rescue. | Robin Porter, from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue, said: "We had to wait until the power lines had been earthed before we could carry out the rescue. |
"The electric company will continue to work over the next few hours to get the balloon away from the power lines before the electricity can be switched back on." | "The electric company will continue to work over the next few hours to get the balloon away from the power lines before the electricity can be switched back on." |
UK Power Networks said two customers, who take electricity directly from the high-voltage network, lost power due to the incident. | |
A spokesman for the firm said: "We had engineers on site, working in conjunction with the neighbouring electricity distribution company, shortly after the collision. | |
"We also worked with the emergency services to ensure the lines were safe before the occupants of the basket could be brought down." | |
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has begun an inquiry into the crash. | The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has begun an inquiry into the crash. |