Hot-air balloon crash leaves 20 S'poreans stuck on hill

THE 20 Singaporean tourists were having the time of their lives, flying over mountains in a hot-air balloon.

But the hot-air balloon crashed half-way into the journey, leaving them dangling precariously at the edge of a hilltop.
Through coordination and teamwork, some managed to leave the basket slowly and pull the balloon and remaining passengers to safety, avoiding further tragedy.
Witnesses said about half of the Singaporeans were injured. Madam Lee Kwai Sim, 68, suffered a fractured foot, while others suffered bruises, scraps and other minor injuries.
The accident happened on 1 Feb in Turkey's central Cappadocia region.
Hairstylist Vincent Leong, 43, his mother Madam Lee, and two friends were among those on the 11-day Chan Brothers tour over the Chinese New Year period.
On the sixth day, they were offered a hot balloon ride as an optional item on the itinerary.

Mr Kelvin Ng, 45, an administrator, said the tour guide persuaded them to sign up, saying it was very safe.
He said 24 out of the group of 28 decided to give the 45-minute ride a try.
The group was split into two hot-air balloons - 20 were placed on the first balloon with three other tourists, while the remaining four and the tour guide were on the second balloon.
Mr Leong said the first balloon had only been airborne for about 20 minutes when the pilot suddenly shouted: 'I can't see, I can't see! We have to land! We've got to land!'
Although it was foggy, the hills were still clearly visible.
Mr Leong said: 'I shouted, 'It's a slope!' A few other guys also shouted, but the pilot didn't seem to hear us.'

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