Menu
26/03/2012
Hot-Air Balloon Collides With Power Lines
A hot-air balloon crashed into power lines in Northamptonshire on Sunday leaving the pilot and two passengers hanging 15m in the air.
The balloons canopy got tangled and wrapped around live power cables just after 18:00 and meant the rescue team had to wait almost four hours for confirmation the power was off.
By 23:30 the three people had been brought safely back to the ground where they were treated by ambulance staff for minor injuries including burns.
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.
"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.”
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 balloons canopy got tangled and wrapped around live power cables just after 18:00 and meant the rescue team had to wait almost four hours for confirmation the power was off.
By 23:30 the three people had been brought safely back to the ground where they were treated by ambulance staff for minor injuries including burns.
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.
"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.”
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."
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 June 2005
Study links power lines to childhood leukaemia
Children who live near power lines are more likely to develop leukaemia, a team of scientists has claimed. Researchers from Oxford University found that children who lived within 200 metres of high voltage power lines had a 70% higher chance of developing leukaemia than those children who lived more than 600 metres away from the power cables.
Study links power lines to childhood leukaemia
Children who live near power lines are more likely to develop leukaemia, a team of scientists has claimed. Researchers from Oxford University found that children who lived within 200 metres of high voltage power lines had a 70% higher chance of developing leukaemia than those children who lived more than 600 metres away from the power cables.
05 April 2012
Severe Weather Leaves Homes Without Power
Approximately 12,000 properties are without power after gales and ice brought down power lines in Northumberland. Northern Powergrid have restored supplies to a further 13,000 properties affected by severe weather conditions and they are now dealing with 120 known incidents.
Severe Weather Leaves Homes Without Power
Approximately 12,000 properties are without power after gales and ice brought down power lines in Northumberland. Northern Powergrid have restored supplies to a further 13,000 properties affected by severe weather conditions and they are now dealing with 120 known incidents.
04 April 2012
Thousands Of Homes Without Power
Tens of thousands of homes and businesses in England are without power after ice and gales brought down power lines across the country.
Thousands Of Homes Without Power
Tens of thousands of homes and businesses in England are without power after ice and gales brought down power lines across the country.
01 June 2007
Plane crashes near supermarket depot
A light aircraft has crashed near to a supermarket depot in Monmouthshire killing one person. Reports from the scene indicate that the aircraft may have come down after hitting power lines. Emergency services have been called to the scene just off the M4 at Magor. One person is confirmed to have died in the crash.
Plane crashes near supermarket depot
A light aircraft has crashed near to a supermarket depot in Monmouthshire killing one person. Reports from the scene indicate that the aircraft may have come down after hitting power lines. Emergency services have been called to the scene just off the M4 at Magor. One person is confirmed to have died in the crash.
16 May 2003
Hang-glider crashes on main rail line
A hang-glider pilot is recovering in a Staffordshire hospital after his motorised aircraft hit overhead power lines. The man in his 60s was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on Thursday after the hang-glider hit 25,000 volt high tension overhead power lines that serve the West Coast Main Line close to Yarnfield in Staffordshire.
Hang-glider crashes on main rail line
A hang-glider pilot is recovering in a Staffordshire hospital after his motorised aircraft hit overhead power lines. The man in his 60s was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on Thursday after the hang-glider hit 25,000 volt high tension overhead power lines that serve the West Coast Main Line close to Yarnfield in Staffordshire.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:This evening will be dry. The rest of the night will remain dry with variable amounts of cloud and some clear periods. Light southwesterly winds. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
