Investigations continue after man killed in Worcestershire hot air balloon crash

The Air Accident Investigation Branch is continuing to look into what happened

Investigations continue after a man was killed in a hot air balloon crash in Worcestershire (stock picture)
Author: James ThomasPublished 26th Jun 2023
Last updated 26th Jun 2023

Investigations are continuing into a hot air balloon crash in Worcestershire which killed a man.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), which probes civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK, its overseas territories and crown dependencies, said a team had been at the scene in Ombersley, five miles north of Worcester.

Police, paramedics and firefighters were also at the scene on Sunday after being called at around 6.20am.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a hot air balloon on fire, with pictures from the scene showing the blue envelope of the balloon tangled in trees.

West Mercia Police said a man in his 20s was pronounced dead by paramedics.

An AAIB spokesperson said: "We have a team on site and are beginning our investigation."

The British Balloon and Airship Club (BBAC) said it was aware of the incident.

"The AAIB have been informed and supported by the BBAC, will be investigating the circumstances," a statement said.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved at this time."

This weekend marked the first Worcestershire Balloon Festival, which took place on June 23 and 24 at Worcester Racecourse, around 6.8 miles from the site of the accident.

But organisers said the accident was "independent" and not related to the festival.

Hear all the latest news from across the West Midlands on the hour, every hour, on 103.1 and 97.2FM (Wolverhampton, Black Country and Shropshire), 96.4FM (Birmingham), 97 and 102.9FM (Coventry and Warwickshire), 97.6FM, 102.8FM and 96.7FM (Herefordshire and Worcestershire), DAB, at freeradio.co.uk, and on the Free Radio app.