A hot air balloon almost tipped over after it crashed into a primary school in Bristol.
There were gasps after the basket carrying passengers hit Oasis Academy Connaught in Knowle West at around 7.11am today during the first day of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
Footage captured this morning shows the navy balloon, with JLL emblazoned on it, descend rapidly before crashing into the roof with a loud thud.
It tips dangerously to one side as the force of the balloon tries to pull it along.
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The pilot releases more hot air, which helps to straighten the balloon and makes it glide back and over the building.
Worried onlookers thought passengers were going to fall out.
Stephanie, 22, a lash technician, who captured the moment, said: ‘I thought ‘that one is looking a bit low’ and pressed record.
‘The basket was tilting – it looked like they were going to fall out.
‘It must have been scary.’
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta said there were no injuries.
The primary school confirmed that the building was largely unoccupied because of the summer holidays.
Clare Robinson, a director at Oasis Community Learning, told Metro: ‘This morning, we were made aware of an incident involving a hot air balloon participating in the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. The balloon lost power and made contact with the roof of Oasis Academy Connaught.
‘We’re relieved to confirm that no one was harmed, and the academy was largely unoccupied due to the summer holidays. The situation was swiftly and professionally managed by our site manager, Rob Price, who was very local at the time.
‘The incident caused some minor damage to the roof tiles, which are being repaired by a contractor as soon as possible. Most importantly, we’re incredibly thankful that everyone is safe and that the balloon was able to carefully land in the school field, without disturbing the festivities.
‘We remain proud to be part of the Bristol community and hope everyone continues to enjoy the Balloon Fiesta this weekend, as we are.’
A spokesperson for the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, told Metro: ‘During this morning’s incredible mass ascent of 90 hot air balloons, one of the balloons clipped a roof as it was coming into land.
‘Everyone landed safely, and we are looking forward to a brilliant Fiesta weekend.’
The Bristol Balloon Fiesta is a free,three-day event that runs until Sunday, with hundreds of balloons taking off.
The near-miss comes after two hot air balloons fell to the ground in Turkey in June.
At least a dozen people were injured and one person died.
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