A 69-year-old man died in a tragic accident before a hot-air balloon was launched in Beelitz (Brandenburg).
The hot air balloon did not crash, but got out of control on the balloon landing pad before takeoff, police said on Tuesday. Accordingly, the balloon was attached to a car with a trailer and was probably carried away by a gust of wind across the square. The 69-year-old was hit and fatally injured by the car and trailer being thrown around.
The 59-year-old hot air balloon driver was in the balloon's basket during Monday night's accident. The waiting passengers suffered a shock and were treated by emergency chaplains. The hot air balloon had been prepared for the flight and was due to take off shortly. According to a police spokesman, about a dozen people were gathered at the hot air balloon before it took off. The police have launched an investigation into negligent homicide against those responsible.
According to one expert, it is a common practice to tie the balloon to the tow vehicle during inflation before launch. "What's important is the attachment at the front of the vehicle and not on the lighter trailer on which the balloon is driven to the starting point," said aviation expert Robert Meyknecht, who is also managing director of the balloon manufacturer "geo - Die Luftwerker".
It is important that the waiting passengers do not stand too close to the basket, which could be caught by gusts of wind and thrown around. Fastening it to a stationary vehicle is a very safe and standard procedure, explained Meyknecht. The affected balloon ride provider was not available on Tuesday. The only thing that was announced by telephone was that the agreed balloon rides had been canceled "due to internal events".
