Two dead in Al Ain balloon crash

Al Ain: Two people died when a hot-air balloon crashed in the desert during an emergency landing in high winds 50km north of Al Ain early yesterday.
The balloon’s gondola, with a pilot, one crew member and 12 passengers on board, was dragged through the desert for 300 metres after the initial impact. Two passengers were buried in sand inside the gondola, and had to be dug out by the survivors.
The two who died were thrown from the gondola on impact, along with a Tanzanian crewman who was on his first flight. He was seriously injured, and was in critical condition last night in the intensive-care unit of Tawam Hospital in Al Ain.
The passengers who died were Mukesh Shah, who was visiting from India with his wife and daughter, and a French national who has not been named.
Mr Shah had arrived in Dubai with his family a week ago, and took the balloon flight with his daughter.
The balloon was operated by Balloon Adventures Emirates (BAE), based in Dubai. The police and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) are investigating the crash and BAE have suspended operations pending the outcome of the investigation. The pilot is in police custody.
26/04/10 Essam al Ghalib and Anna Seaman/The National, UAE

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Categories: Foreign Apr 2010, Safety Apr 2010