Man shoots at hot air balloon flying near his French house
The shooter, who was arrested, was reportedly exasperated at seeing the balloon flying over - but the company denies excessive flights
The hot air balloon was flying 10 metres above the ground and 150 metres away from the shooter’s home, the company director said (stock image for illustration only)
Massimo Santi/Shutterstock
A man has been arrested after shooting at a hot air balloon flying near his French house, and hitting the pilot, forcing the craft to land to save the six passengers on board.
A hot air balloon, from the company Aéronefs & Aérostats de Provence, was passing over the small village of Puimoisson (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) on Sunday, September 1, when the pilot was hit by a lead pellet shot from a resident on the ground.
The pilot - who had been flying the balloon at an altitude of 10 metres, around 150 metres away from the shooter’s home - managed to land a little further away. Three of the six passengers on board were also hit.
‘Could have been a tragedy’
“Fortunately, the pellet was slowed down by a hedge,” said company director Christophe Lacour, to BFMTV. “But you have to bear in mind that we are transporting 200 kilos of gas. It really could have turned into a tragedy.”
The shooter, in his 60s, was arrested by gendarmes shortly after the incident. He was reportedly unhappy to see the balloon flying over his home, and said he was “exasperated” with the balloons coming close to his property. Several weapons were found at his home during a search.
The company disputes that its activity has been excessive, or has been too close to the man’s home. “Over the last few months, we have ‘disturbed’ this gentleman no more than five times,” said Mr Lacour.
The balloon that was shot at is now grounded and is being inspected for safety. It will not be used for further flights until at least Friday, September 6.
