Hot air balloon crashes into electricity line

A hot air balloon has crashed into an electricity line and landed in a field.

Firefighters were called to Newhouse Road, Earls Colne, where the balloon had landed, at about 19:00 BST on Thursday, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said.

A man was taken to Colchester General Hospital for treatment, and 10 others were assessed at the scene, but did not need any treatment, an East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) spokesman said.

Fire crews gave first aid, cooled the balloon's cylinders and worked with UK Power Networks to make the scene safe.

The EEAS spokesman added: "An ambulance, two ambulance officer vehicles and the Hazardous Area Response Team were sent to the scene."

UK Power Networks said power had been restored to the area, at about 05:00, after the overhead electricity line had been fixed.

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