Suspected spinal injuries suffered as 16 hurt in Easter hot air balloon crash
Nine people have been left with broken limbs and spinal injuries after a hot air balloon crashed into a tree during a landing in the Hunter Valley in NSW.
The incident happened just after 8am on Friday morning at Pokolbin, in the Hunter Valley wine-tasting region and left 16 passengers submitted to hospital.
A spokesperson from Ambulance NSW said occupants of the balloon were being treated for a range of injuries from "suspected broken limbs, to suspected spinal injuries" at Cessnock Hospital.
"Two of those patients have been transferred to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment," she added.
There are no fatalities or life threatening injuries, the spokesperson confirmed.
The patients are aged between seven and 38 years old.
Inspector Rob Post from the Hunter Valley police said the crash occurred during a landing procedure.
"It appears there may have been contact with a tree during that process and obviously things have gone awry and people have been injured," he said during a press conference on Friday afternoon.
"I believe there could have bee up to 24 people in that basket and obviously not all of those persons were injured."
Insp. Post said no calls were made to Triple-0, despite the numerous injuries that occurred.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau told Yahoo7 News they are yet to begin an investigation into the crash however the incident is currently being reviewed by directors.
The balloon belongs to Balloon Safaris, the same company involved in a rough crash landing that left four people injured in January.
The accident on January 13 saw the basket of the hot air balloon skim across the ground and flip as it hit a bush in Greta, about 20 minutes northwest of Pokolbin.
Police said the company is cooperating with police.
Yahoo7 has reached out to Balloon Safaris for comment.
Any witnesses who saw the crash are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
