Two men have been killed after their hot air balloon crashed at a bowls club in Somerset. The incident occurred just after 9.30am at Prattens Bowls Club in Midsomer Norton, near Bath.
The balloon was attempting a high-altitude flight, aiming to ascend to 20,000ft, when it plummeted to the ground. A ground crew tracking the balloon lost sight of it in the clouds shortly before the crash, according to Avon Fire and Rescue Service.
Emergency services were alerted at 9.47am, and two men were pronounced dead at the scene. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that no other aircraft or people on the ground were involved.
Witness Robert Biggs described hearing a whistling sound and seeing the balloon hurtling down through a break in the clouds. Two off-duty firefighters cycling nearby attempted to help but were hampered by flames from the balloon's liquid petroleum gas cylinders.
Four fire engines and an air ambulance attended the scene. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has launched an inquiry into the crash.
