Moment Bristol hot air balloon crashes into school in near-miss disaster

This is the moment Bristol's Hot Air Balloon Fiesta almost descended into disaster as one of the incredible aircraft came crashing down onto a school roof. The balloon was spotted flying too low before hitting the roof of Oasis Academy Connaught, Knowle West, Bristol, close to the landing site. The balloon basket was seen tipping at around 7.11am as they tried to get back into the air and it "looked like the people were going to fall out".

Fortunately the balloon was able to get momentum to propel itself up again and over the roof of the school safely. Resident Stephanie, 22, a lash technician, who captured the moment said: "I thought 'that one is looking a bit low' and pressed record. The basket was tilting - it looked like they were going to fall out. It must have been scary." The skies are filled with more 100 hot air balloons in mass ascents at dawn and dusk during the festival, weather permitting.

2025 is the festival's 47th year, which includes a wide variety of balloons and attracts hundreds of pilots from across the world.

It takes place from today until Sunday, with flights, heading eastwards and south eastwards over Bristol towards Keynsham and Hanham, scheduled at 6am and 6pm.

Night-glows and other entertainment are also available for attendees to enjoy at the site.

Organiser Clive Bailey told BBC Radio Bristol that the spectacle is "gurt lush".

"There's a lovely atmosphere, the weather's great," he said.

"They're firing away and off we go, the rest of the weekend is looking absolutely fabulous."

Asked whether all six ascents will go ahead, he said "never say never" but "we're hoping".

Mr Bailey added that the last time all the ascents happened thanks to good weather was in 2015.

Queuing traffic is expected around the Ashton Court Estate during the event.

Inrix reports: "Delays expected due to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta with road closures at times from Friday to Sunday on Roads from Friday to Sunday on roads. Clifton Suspension Bridge is also closed from 6pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday."