Ombersley hot air balloon crash recounted by eyewitnesses

West Mercia Police have said that a man was pronounced dead at the scene of a hot air balloon crash this morning (Sunday, June 25).

His family are now being supported by West Mercia Police’s specialist family liaison officers. 

The balloon fell to the ground in a field off Holt Fleet Road, near Ombersley Court. Pictures taken from Holt Fleet Road appeared to show the balloon wrapped around a tree.

One witness said: “There were lots of balloons in the sky because it was clear and sunny despite being so early.

“Suddenly there was a flash and what looked like a fireball coming from a blue balloon and it just dropped like a stone.

“We called the emergency services but had difficulty getting through on the 999 number because it was down.

“We finally got through. It was a terrible thing to see.”

Another eyewitness said they saw people standing by the side of the road and thought there had been a crash.

They smelt burning before a fire truck arrived, and thought there had been a fire at the property.

It took place on the weekend of the Worcester Balloon Festival.

Earlier today, the organisers of the Worcester Balloon Festival said the crash is not related to the festival.

They said: “There was an incident this morning, under investigation, it was not the festival it was independent.

“The festival finished last night, it was not connected to the festival.”

References

1. ^{^} Police say man has died in Ombersley hot air balloon crash (www.worcesternews.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Man dies in hot air balloon crash in Ombersley (www.worcesternews.co.uk)
3. ^{^}  Crash not related to Worcester Balloon Festival says organisers (www.worcesternews.co.uk)