Balloon trip turns into rooftop rollercoaster

The balloon with 16 on board plunged to Earth after a sudden change in wind direction threatened to turn an idyllic journey to catastrophe, sending it into a tree and a road sign, only narrowly avoiding the rooftops of nearby houses and offices.

Those on the flight in Bath, Somerset, captured in these dramatic images by photographer Stuart Woodward, paid tribute to the “chilled” and “professional” pilot who navigated his way to safety, with only one or two bumps on route.

After a pleasant two-and-a-half hour trip 4,000ft above Somerset, the balloon got into difficulties shortly before 9pm on Monday.

Worried residents took to social networking sites to express bewilderment, with some even calling the police for fear the balloon would crash into their homes. In the end, however, the craft containing 16 people landed on a grass bank.

Laura Camper, 31, was on the trip with her boyfriend, Richard Morris, 29, when the balloon started to lose altitude, making for what she described as an “unusual” landing.

“Every time we approached a park or recreation ground, a tiny gust of wind would knock us off course and, as we descended, the pilot said we might have to land on a road,” she said. “He was totally chilled and professional. He radioed the police to ask for assistance and asked them to close roads if necessary.”

She added: “When we came into land I think we hit a tree and a road sign which probably softened the landing.

“When we touched down we all cheered.”

A startled Mr Woodward said the balloon only narrowly missed buildings either side of the River Avon as it swayed in the air. “It ripped when I think it caught on a tree,” he said. “How it didn’t hit any roofs I don’t know. It was an amazing landing.”

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said the force began receiving calls from concerned residents at about 8:40pm.

He said: “They described seeing a hot-air balloon in difficulty, flying low and close to buildings. We were asked to close some roads because the balloon wanted to make an emergency landing.

“It got into difficulty because of a sudden drop in wind. Although it had enough fuel for another 30 minutes, it couldn’t gain altitude and wanted to make a landing.

“Everyone was safe and well and there was no need for a referral to air investigators. We are satisfied with the explanation given.”

The hair-raising experience has not deterred Ms Camper and her partner from taking to the air again. After recalling their dramatic trip yesterday, the couple jetted off on holiday to Zante.