Express & Star

Students' surprise as hot air balloon lands in playing fields

School pupils were greeted by an unexpected arrival when a hot air balloon landed on its playing fields.

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The balloon, owned by Stafford-based Wickers World, made its landing on the fields of Codsall Community High School, Elliotts Lane, as pupils were leaving for the day.

The balloon landed at the side of two football matches being played on the fields, capturing the attention of pupils and staff as they left for the day.

Sixteen-year-old Emma Bentley, who filmed the landing, said: "It was really interesting to see, everyone went outside when we saw it getting close.

"When it landed on the field people ran over to see what had happened.

"It was quite scary at one point because it looked as though was coming towards the school building.

"I am a keen film maker and photographer so for me it was an opportunity to capture something unique and unusual."

Hot air balloons often land on school fields due to their vehicle access, which makes it easier for a ground crew to help move it after landing.

John Rudoni, who was flying the balloon, said: "We need to land somewhere where we can get vehicle access for our ground crew.

"At this time of year farmers fields tend to be wet and boggy to drive through and obviously the balloon is too big to carry out.

"We saw the football matches being played and made sure we avoided them as we came down.

"We were coming from a pleasure flight from Shugborough Hall.

"It just so happened that we landed around the same time people were leaving the school, so we ended up having a crowd.

"We always cause excitement if we land in a built up area, people like to see what is going on.

"Although we regularly use school fields to land it is not everyday that pupils get to see a hot air balloon so its great that some took an interest."

Codsall High's executive head Marjorie Tunnicliffe expressed concern over the landing.

"Although it may have been a spectacle for the pupils who saw it I believe it had the potential to be a dangerous situation," she said.

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