Hunt on for balloon crash pilot

James Lant's birthday present almost turned into a disaster

The hunt is on for a pilot who crashed his hot air balloon into a house during a birthday pleasure flight and then fled the scene.

Jacqui Simmons had bought Sunday's trip for boyfriend James Lant as a present.

She said the balloon crashed into the house in Oakham, Rutland, hitting the chimney before taking off again.

The pair and Ms Simmons father were all treated in hospital after the crash. The Civil Aviation Authority is trying to trace the balloon pilot.

'No brakes'

Miss Simmons, who had arranged the flight as a thirty-third birthday present for her boyfriend, told the BBC about the moment of collision.

She said: "We were cut up and shaking. We were dreading landing."

Her father said: "You cannot put the brakes on."

The three received cuts and bruises.

The pilot did not report the collision and has not been seen since Sunday's crash.

David and Halina Woolford's house was severely damaged by the collision .

Emergency crews called to the scene advised them to leave their home because of fears of structural damage.

Building inspectors decided the chimney should be removed.

Kevin Vine, chairman of the British Association of Balloon Operators, said his organisation was not involved in investigating the accident but had carried out its own review.

It established the balloonist was not a commercial operator and could be a private pilot.

'We could prosecute'

A Leicestershire police spokeswoman said: "An incident was reported to us at 12.40pm on Sunday.

"We were notified that a hot air balloon had hit the roof of a house. No one was injured."

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority said: "Our aviation enforcement branch are investigating. Whoever was involved is not confirmed yet.

"If we find there are breaches of rules of the air, we could prosecute."