Residents ‘shocked’ after hot air balloon forced to land by housing estate in strong winds

A hot air balloon was forced to land by a housing estate in strong winds, leaving residents “shocked”.

The yellow and blue balloon aimed to fly above the houses in Wordsley in the West Midlands on Wednesday night.

But the balloon's pilot decided to make the landing early because of the blustery weather.

A field behind Swanfield Road and Harrison Road in the town was the largest spot available.

Richard Bagley, 47, who lives on the Hawbush Estate, witnessed the aircraft's descent at about 9pm with his partner Nathalie Rich, 46.

Richard said: "I was on my computer and then my partner ran in and said, 'Have a look, quick!'

"I ran in and got my phone and started filming – I'm 47 and I've never seen anything like that.

"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."

Other residents reportedly heard a whooshing sound, and stopped their cars or came out their houses to watch.

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