Woman taken to hospital with minor injuries after early-morning flight lands in paddock an hour after takeoff

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A hot air balloon with 16 people onboard has caught fire and landed in a paddock in Victoria’s Yarra Valley.

A 27-year-old woman was taken to Maroondah hospital for observation after the balloon landed near Cahillton Road, Gruyere, about 6.15am.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the woman had suffered minor injuries and was in a stable condition. No one else was injured.

7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) The moment a hot air balloon caught fire during a terrifying flight over the Yarra Valley. 15 people were onboard the flight. A 27-year-old woman was taken to hospital for observation. The basket was destroyed during the blaze. #7News pic.twitter.com/JUpcKRxkKg

The commercial flight was carrying a pilot and 15 passengers when it took off shortly after 5.30am from Wandin Park, according to a statement by the National Commercial Ballooning industry. It landed an hour later after the onboard fire.

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“The pilot, one of Australia’s most experienced commercial hot air balloon pilots with approximately 5,500 hours in command, flew the aircraft under challenging circumstances and managed to land the balloon safely, then evacuate the 15 passengers and himself,” the statement said.

After the landing, the basket was destroyed by fire. Country Fire Authority crews were in attendance.

“It was a fantastic effort by the pilot to get everyone safely on the ground,” said the Australian Ballooning Federation president, Martin Tregale.

The Air Transport Safety Bureau is investigating.

The blaze follows another mishap on Friday when a hot air balloon carrying three newly engaged couples crashed into a tree in Eltham North. The basket and balloon had to be cut free by firefighters using chainsaws.