Balloon pilot praised for landing safely in Bedford street

The pilot of a hot air balloon has been praised for landing safely in a small residential street filled with cars, telegraph poles, wire and houses.

Emma Firman, who filmed the descent in Bower Street in Bedford on Saturday said he did an “excellent job” and she made sure she congratulated him on his efforts, as no damage was caused.

She said she could tell it “wasn’t his first rodeo”.

The British Balloon & Airship Club confirmed it “landed without incident” and that everyone on board was OK.

Sian King, who lives in the Castle Road area where it happened, also filmed the landing while she was walking the dog.

She said when she first spotted it, close to Russell Park, she was shocked and surprised at how low it was.

“I saw loads of people gathering towards Bower Street; it was almost on top of the roofs,” she said.

Her partner, Sam Coldham, along with other helpers, grabbed the guide rope to help it down.

“I thought it was going to land in my friend’s garden”, she said.

“It could have been a lot worse; it was just crazy to see it in such a built-up area; it narrowly missed the cables and the chimney stacks.”

Mr Coldham said he helped pull the basket to safety.

He believed it ran out of wind on its way to its planned landing site in Russell Park.

“No injuries, no damage, no nothing, just a great pilot,” he added.