Diamond Jubilee flight: Dramatic moment hot air balloon comes down in city centre

This was the dramatic moment a hot air balloon was forced to crash-land close to a city centre road after taking off for a flight during the Diamond Jubilee.

The newly-restored Bath Building Society craft floated over Bath, Somerset, but got into difficulties when it failed to gain enough height due to weather conditions.

It was seen skimming rooftops, trees and even a river before the pilot finally landed on a patch of grass near the city's Green Park Road at around 9pm on Monday.

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Photographer Stuart Woodward, who took the dramatic pictures, said: 'It went over the Wells Road then back over again after narrowly missing rooftops and trees.

'Then it went over the river, only eight feet above a building, and the pilot skilfully landed on the grass bank just over the river - by the coach park.

'It ripped the balloon when I think it caught on a tree.

'How it didn't hit any roofs I don't know. Police and ambulance attended, but there were no injuries - it was an amazing landing.'

Laura Camper, 31, and boyfriend Richard Morris, 29, were two of the 16 passengers on board the balloon when it was forced to land in a street in Bath.

Richard bought Laura the balloon ride for £150 as a Christmas present.

The couple, who both work for a recruitment firm in Bath, spent two-and-a-half hours in the balloon circling the city before it came down.

Laura said: 'The balloon goes wherever the wind takes it but here was hardly any breeze so we reached 4,000ft and stayed circling Bath for two-and-a-half hours.

'Towards the end of the flight the pilot, called Mike, said he was going to take us down and he tried to find a piece of grass to land on.

'Every time we approached a park or recreation ground a tiny gust of wind would knock us off course and as we descended Mike said we might have to land on a road.

'He was totally chilled and professional. He radioed the police to ask for assistance and asked them to close roads if necessary.

'Mike told us to get into the landing position, as we would have to with a normal landing, which meant sitting in the basket with our heads back.

'When we came into land I think we hit a tree and a road sign which probably softened the landing.

'When we touched down we all cheered. No one was panicking and the police grabbed the basket to stop it dragging or blowing away and we all got out.

'Afterwards we helped Mike roll up the balloon and chatted to each other. It was an unusual landing.'

The experience didn't put the couple off flying and they jetted off on holiday to Zante, Greece, on Tuesday.

Around 20 officers from Avon and Somerset Police attended the scene.

Police said they were not taking any legal action.

A force spokesman said: 'At about 8.40pm we received calls from residents regarding a hot air balloon that appeared to be having difficulties.

'We were requested to close a few roads around the Green Park Road area to make a safer landing site.

'We spoke to the pilot and he said they were having difficulties because there wasn't enough wind to gain altitude.

'And although he had enough fuel to carry on for 30 minutes, it was decided it would be safer to try and land.

'All parties were safe and well. Nothing was reported to be damaged and the five or six parties [16 passengers in total] on board were all safe. No injuries were reported.

'There will be no investigation. We are satisfied with the explanation that was given.'