Lucky escape for balloonist (From Witney Gazette)

Lucky escape for balloonist

8:15am Monday 19th February 2007 in Witney

THE pilot of a hot air balloon had a lucky escape when it crashed into a tree close to a high-voltage electricity cable near the Hardwick Leisure Park, Standlake.

The balloon was losing height at 5pm yesterday when it became entangled in a tree only feet away from the power line. The basket was close to the ground and the pilot climbed out to safety.

Downs Road was closed while firefighters released the balloon's canopy from the tree. The power was cut off by Southern Electricity engineers.

The recovery operation lasted two hours and electricity was restored to the leisure park and nearby homes.

A fire service spokesman said: "The balloonist had a lucky escape because he came down very close to the high-voltage power cable.

"Fortunately he managed to get out unhurt. "