A British woman has died after falling out of a hot air balloon while on a South African safari holiday with her family. Susan Astle, 48, died from her injuries after falling around 20ft out of the basket after a gust of wind flipped it over before the balloon crashed in Mooinooi.
Astle, who was on the balloon with her husband and two children, was taken to a hospital in Rustenburg but died of her injures.
A four-year-girl and her mother also suffered serious injuries after getting blown out of the basket. All those involved in the crash were part of a group of around 15 who took the balloon ride from Skeerpoort.
Loanne Louw, spokesperson for the Hartbeespoort Emergency Rescue Service, told Kormorant: "According to information on the scene it seems that the balloon had almost landed when it encountered an unexpected wind force. It allegedly bounced off the ground a few times before it hit a tree."
One of the those who survived the incident, Olivia Denny, 70, told the Sun: "The wind swept us away. It felt like driving backwards in a car at 40km/h.
"We were dragged through bushes and rocks before we landed between two trees. We had to hold on for dear life."
The hot air balloon trip was organised by a company run by fellow Brit Bill Harrop. He said he is now co-operating with police and authorities following the death of Astle. He added in a statement: "An adult and child were also injured when the routine flight encountered unexpected winds on landing.
By Ewan Palmer.
Full story at IB Times.
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