Hot Air Balloon in flames crashes in Sallanches

The hot air balloon was taking part in a week long festival "the Air of Praz-on-Arly," which has been going on for 18 years without incident until yesterday. Due to a bad weather forecast for the next few days, yesterday's flight was to be this year's festival's last. The balloons took off normally, at around 9h30, and flew towards Megève, then on to Sallanches, quietly pushed by the winds. At approximately 10h40, aboard the Carroz hot air balloon, Jo Roulet, one of the most experienced French pilots (national instructor), prepared to land, going through the same motions he has done thousands of times. Four passengers were also onboard: a young pilot and three tourists, originating from Var, Paris and Grand-Bornand. While attempting to land in a field bordering the RD 1205 connecting Sallanches to Cluses, the balloon passed very close to the trees, and then a gust of wind sent the balloon against a nearby 20,000 volt electric cable. The nearby high tension wire created an electric arc which pierced one of the propane canisters used to ignite the burners, producing a cloud of gas which ignited, setting the nacelle is set on fire. The heat caused the balloon to rise above the road and the nearby railroad tracks. Immediately, Jo Roulet activated the emergency system, which precipitated the apparatus to the ground brutally, in a field located between the railway tracks and the motorway. Wounded and burned, the occupants exited the balloon, with the help of some neighbours, before the balloon went up in flames. Only two victims were severely wounded. Two sustained light injuries and one was lucky enough to exit the drama unscathed. A true miracle, when considering that the burning hot air balloon, carrying gas bottles, crashed between a highly used road, a railway line and the A40 highway... "Fortunately the pilot was experienced" emphasized the sub-prefect of Bonneville, Ivan Bouchier, "the casualties could have been dramatic."