Hot air balloon crash-lands by pub in Nottinghamshire town centre

A hot air balloon crash-landed near a pub in a town centre in Nottinghamshire.

British Transport Police (BTP) said officers on patrol attended the scene near the Nags Head pub in Sutton-in-Ashfield after the balloon reportedly landed at about 8.50pm on Saturday.

In a statement shared on Twitter, the police forces said it gave out first aid before helping the balloon get under control.

Meanwhile, Andrew Davidson, who was piloting the aircraft, told the BBC he had never experienced such a landing in more than 30 years of flying.

He told the broadcaster: “It was untidy, but we were safe,” adding that roof tiles were knocked off the pub as the aircraft descended.

One of the four people on board also suffered a bloody nose.

"Unfortunately there were a lot of power lines, livestock and crops that prevented me from landing any sooner," he added.

"At that point you just have to make sure you can keep control of the balloon so it doesn't just drift."

He said the crash will be reported to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the British Balloon and Airship Club.

"This landing is very, very unusual - it's the first time I've ever done that, and I've flown hot air balloons for over 30 years," he added.

BTP Nottinghamshire tweeted: “Now this isn't something that happens very often.

“Whilst on patrol officers have witnessed a hot air balloon crashing in Sutton in Ashfield town centre.

“Officers have assisted with first aid, before helping get the balloon under control.”

BTP has been contacted for comment.

It comes after a hot air balloon was forced to land by a housing estate in strong winds in the West Midlands last month in an incident that left residents “shocked”.

The yellow and blue balloon aimed to fly above the houses in Wordsley but the pilot decided to make the landing early because of the blustery weather.

Richard Bagley, 47, who lives on the Hawbush Estate, witnessed the aircraft's descent.

He said: “I was very shocked, I didn't know it was a planned landing and, as far as I'm concerned, it seemed to come down very fast."