Hot air balloon crashes into house near Arrowtown

Emergency services respond to hot air balloon crash in Arrowtown. Video / Supplied

The owner and chief pilot of a hot air balloon that crashed this morning near Queenstown leaving 11 people injured says he is “deeply upset” about the incident.

The Sunrise Balloons trip was “hit by a gust of wind” shortly before landing at 9.55am this morning at its scheduled landing site at Morven Ferry Rd, Arrowtown.

The basket containing passengers impacted with a low bank and came to rest alongside a fence and trees near a property driveway. Some balloon fabric fell draped over power lines to a nearby house.

This afternoon it was confirmed one person sustained serious injuries, one had moderate injuries and nine had minor injuries.

Sunrise Balloons confirmed the ten passengers on the flight were a mixture of groups and individuals, all of whom are understood to be New Zealand residents.

Sunrise Balloons owner and chief pilot Hugh McLellan said the accident occurred approximately one-hour into an uneventful flight within “normal wind parameters” as it came in to land at a landing area on a private airstrip in Morven Ferry Road.

“On approach, the balloon was caught by a sudden wind gust and the basket containing passengers impacted with a low bank,” Sunrise Balloons said in a statement.

McLellan said The company has temporarily suspended its commercial operation and is co-operating fully with police, Civil Aviation and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

“We are fully supporting our staff and guests at this difficult time, and we wish all involved a full and speedy recovery.

“An internal investigation is underway and we are working closely with all relevant authorities.”

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Two people with serious injuries were transported to Dunedin Hospital by helicopters. Others were transported to Lakes District Hospital by ambulance.

Experienced balloon pilot Carrick McLellan was treated at nearby Lakes District Hospital for moderate injuries sustained in the incident. The remaining passengers were assessed at Lakes District Hospital for a range of minor injuries before being released.

Queenstown Lakes mayor Jim Boult said he had just been briefed by police. Contrary to reports, he said the balloon was landing where it was supposed to at Morven Ferry Rd, but on descent was “hit by a gust of wind”.

“I know that it was several groups and individuals. I don’t know anything about their nationality at this stage, although I do know there were some New Zealanders on board,” Boult said – confirming it was a mixed group of tourists on board.

A St John spokesman said they received a 111 call from a member of the public at 9.54am.

St John Ambulance Central Otago territory manager David Baillie said the two patients with the most serious injuries had sustained internal bleeding, while the remainder of the patients had sustained “a range of minor fractures, bruises, etc”.

The pilot was among those injured.

The balloon before it crashed. Photo / Sonja McCord

Police were advised of the incident but were not investigating.

“Civil Aviation Authority and Transport Accident Investigation Commission will be taking the lead on investigating the circumstances,” a spokesperson said.

Mayor Boult said of the incident: “Some people were thrown out of the basket, the balloon basket dragged across the ground until it hit a fence, and the remaining people either exited the basket or were thrown out of the basket.

“The balloon itself then came down on power lines attached to the house, but that had no effect on the people that were in the basket.

“On behalf of the community, I express our deepest sympathies to those involved, and we wish them all the very best for a speedy recovery.”

A hot air balloon has crashed near Arrowtown. Photo / NZH

Photographer James Allen said it appeared the balloon had been dragged off course.

“This one seems to have blown down somehow through one or two sets of powerlines below the Queenstown cycle trail. It’s travelled 30-50m into the side of a bank then dragged maybe 100m into a deer paddock, through a deer fence and then slammed into the house.

“From the power lines to the house is probably a good 200m of out of control balloon.”

He said there is a moderate breeze in the area.

“A good bit of wind here, nothing crazy. but a bit of wind.”

He said staff from Sunrise Balloons were at the house.

“One set of people were out on the road with us and another set at the actual house.

“You can see a transport bus and the actual four-wheel drive and balloon trailer has been brought to the house as well.”

The company is family-owned and operated in the region since 1998.

Owners Hugh and Maureen are supported by their son Carrick, a pilot, daughter Kirsty and son Graham.

The hot air balloon before it crashed near Arrowtown. Photo / Supplied

The owner of the property where the hot air balloon crashed, Phillip Bunn, said the balloon ended up next to his house.

He was not home at the time, but his sister was and witnessed the crash, leaving her very upset.

Balloons landed on their property quite often.

“I just feel sorry for the people on board.”

He was still in the dark about what happened.

An Otago Daily Times reporter at the scene said it appeared the hot air balloon had hit a house. It was now lying on a paddock near the property.

A Sunrise Balloons vehicle arrives at the scene. Photo / Supplied

A large semi-deflated balloon is visible through tree branches.

St John staff were seen walking into the house, where it’s understood the injured were being treated by paramedics.

There is a heavy police presence at the scene and the road has been cordoned off.

Gibbston resident Sonja McCord said she was driving when she noticed the craft barely above powerlines.

“I thought, ‘That’s coming down too fast’ and seemed a little bit in distress.”

11 people have been injured in a hot air balloon crash near Arrowtown. Photo / supplied

She said it concerned her that the balloon was so close to the ground in an area where it shouldn’t be.

“Normally I see hot air balloons all the time on a winter morning and as I was coming back home from the school run I noticed the hot air balloon flying quite low and didn’t normally land in the Arrow Junction area. It looked like it was in a bit of trouble.”

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said two crews, one from Arrowtown and one from Frankton are attending.

Photos from the scene show a rescue helicopter has landed in a paddock, flanked by several ambulances. A large semi-deflated balloon can be seen through tree branches. There are numerous power lines visible at the site.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has confirmed it’s aware of the event but has not yet made a decision on an investigation.

Meanwhile, up to 160 homes are without power in the area.

The streets affected are Crown Terrace, Gibbston, McDonnell Rd, Morven Ferry Rd.

Aurora Energy says, ‘At the request of the emergency services we have turned off the power for the safety of emergency responders and the public as they attend an incident”.

The balloon before it crashed. Photo / Andrew Norton