Advertisement

Pilot dies in hot air balloon crash in western Germany

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
Pilot dies in hot air balloon crash in western Germany
The site of the accident on Monday in St. Goar, Rhineland-Palatinate. Photo: DPA

The pilot of a hot air balloon died and two passengers were severely injured after it crashed near the banks of the River Rhine in Germany, police said on Monday.

Advertisement

The balloon was caught by a gust of wind as it came into land at about 8pm on Sunday near Urbar, south of Koblenz in western Germany, according to an initial investigation by local police.

The balloon hit the ground several times, throwing four passengers out of the basket, before being dragged down a hill and getting caught in a tree, police said.

Advertisement

The pilot, who was stuck in the basket, died from his injuries.

The two injured are in a serious condition but out of danger, according to police, with all the passengers flown to local hospitals.

More than 100 people assisted in the rescue operation.

The crash site is across the river from the Lorelei, a steep slate rock and one of the Rhine gorge's most photographed natural phenomena.

The blue envelope of a hot-air balloon hung in the hillside above the Rhine valley near St. Goar after the accident on Monday morning, caught in trees. Photo: DPA

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also