Balloon landing at station investigated

Trains were affected by the landing

An investigation is to be launched after a hot air balloon landed at a railway station in Bristol.

British Transport Police say the landing was "dangerous" and will be investigating with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) over the coming weeks.

The balloon had taken off as part of Saturday's mass morning ascent at the International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol.

Pc Stephen Weale, from the British Transport Police, told BBC News Online: "We consider it a very dangerous matter when someone deliberately chooses to land on live tracks.

"We suspect offences were committed under the malicious damages act, and the CAA will no doubt be looking at possible offences under the air navigation order 2000.

The pilot decided this was the safest available landing option, as otherwise he would have had to cross the Severn estuary into Wales Balloon Fiesta spokesperson Balloon lands at railway station

"We are in no way suggesting it was malicious. The day started well and went horribly wrong - thankfully not tragically wrong."

Two trains were delayed after the balloon came down by the side of the Avonmouth railway station.

A statement from the Fiesta organisers said: "A pilot - Rupert Stanley, from London - landed near the Avonmouth train station who took off from the mass ascent.

"The landing was controlled - the basket remained upright and no-one was hurt.

Emergency services

"He [the pilot] decided this was the safest available landing option, as otherwise he would have had to cross the Severn estuary into Wales.

"Although he had enough fuel to clear the estuary, his landing options on the other side would have severely restricted and therefore more risky

"After checking the train signals were red, and red barriers were up, he landed his balloon by the track before immediately lifting onto the platform and deflating the balloon.

"A passer by called the emergency services who attended but were not required."