Tourist injured in fall from hot air balloon

South African man being treated in Sharjah hospital

ASouth African tourist was seriously injured after he fell from a hot air balloon in Al Faya area in Sharjah on Friday, according to Sharjah Police.

The man is currently being treated at Al Qasimi Hospital, police told Gulf News. They said the operations room received a call on Friday evening with news about the incident, following which the air wing of the National Ambulance rushed to the site and airlifted the man to hospital.

Police said the balloon was flying over the mountains in Al Faya when the incident occurred. The exact circumstances under which the tourist fell from the balloon was not immediately clear.

Al Madam Police are investigating the case.

Expert opinion

According to experts, a balloon crash could be caused either due to unsuitable weather, the balloon’s condition or if it hits an obstacle like a power line.

“A balloon may fall if there is not enough heated air to maintain the flight or if its fabric is damaged. With weather-related problems, the balloon can fly uncontrollably,”

according to an experienced hot air balloon pilot.

There have been several hot air balloon accidents in UAE deserts in the past too.

In July 2017, six tourists were injured in Al Madam desert area in Sharjah after a hot balloon went down. The tourists included a 41-year-old South African who was airlifted to Al Qasimi Hospital as his condition was critical. The other injured were moved to Al Dhaid Hospital.

Another balloon accident occurred in the Badayer area in July 2015, causing injuries to three tourists.

In February 2016, 13 out of 20 passengers in a balloon sustained minor injuries after it crashed in the Margham desert in Dubai.