![]() The last fatal crash involving a hot air balloon is believed to have involved Lee Pibworth and Allan Burnett, both from Bristol, who died when their balloon came down in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, on Jan 1 2011. ![]() It fell like a rocket and shook us up to watch.”Īn investigation will now be carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. “We thought from that height there would definitely be a fatality. “Once it caught fire it went up like tissue paper, it was burnt in about 10 seconds. Seconds later one of them burst into flames. It was a terrible thing to see.”Ī man who was driving along the A449 from Kidderminster to Worcester at 6.15am said: “I told my partner to take a picture because the balloons looked lovely. We finally got through but it was just too high for anyone to survive. “We called the emergency services but had difficulty getting through on the 999 number because it was down. My wife heard terrible screaming and then silence. “Suddenly there was a flash and what looked like a fireball coming from a blue balloon and it just dropped like a stone. One said: “There were lots of balloons in the sky because it was clear and sunny despite being so early. Onlookers described hearing “screaming” coming from the balloon as it fell. The festival was cancelled in May because of bad weather and was rearranged to take place from Friday to Saturday evening. Organisers insisted the crash was not connected to the event. The tragedy occurred after hundreds of people enjoyed the first Worcester Balloon Festival at the city’s racecourse. Paramedics declared Mr Gregory dead at the scene. Witnesses described how the blue-coloured balloon turned into a “fireball” before plummeting into trees in Worcester at about 6.20am on Sunday. “When he set his heart to something, he’d never give up, he was driven and determined, and one could only watch on in awe. “Be it in a hot air balloon or as an Airline Pilot, Peter’s passion for flying was something his family and friends could only admire and support him towards. On the morning of Sunday 25th June, our Pilot Pete took one last flight, doing what he loved. Relatives aid: “Peter Gregory - 25 years of living life to the full. In a statement released through West Mercia Police, his family described the 25-year-old as “driven and determined” whose passion for flying they watched on with “awe”. His death is believed to be its first hot air balloon fatality recorded in Britain in more than 10 years. Peter Gregory, known as Pilot Pete, died after his balloon turned into a “fireball” before plummeting into trees in Worcester at about 6.20am on Sunday. ![]() A flying enthusiast killed when a hot air balloon burst into flames mid-air has been named as a 25-year-old airline pilot who was “doing what he loved”. ![]()
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