LA Confidential
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- Joined
- Jul 20, 2002
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GIRL KILLED AT AIRSHOW
A five-year-old British girl was killed when she was swept away in the mooring ropes of a helium balloon whipped up by high winds.
Her body was found around 40 miles from the scene.
It appeared the girl was standing near the balloon during an International Show at the Rheindalen British Army base in western Germany.
The balloon was discovered two hours later and the girl's body was found nearby.
British military spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Helen Wildman said the plan was to lift people up and down with the balloon tethered to a rope.
"The weather was very nice but suddenly it changed and it became extremely stormy," she said.
"The balloon broke away from the rope and flew away. Unfortunately, the rope got tangled with a five-year-old girl and dragged her away with the balloon."
Lt Col Wildman, who witnessed the incident, said an investigation had immediately been launched.
"It's a terrible freak accident," she said. "Most people didn't actually realise that there was anybody tangled up in the rope."
The girl's parents, a German mother and British serviceman, were said to be "devastated".
Twelve people were killed in storms in Germany over the weekend.
Lt Col Wildman said six other people were injured during the Rheindalen storm, with one needing hospital treatment.
"It appeared to be a summer shower but soon turned into an incredibly heavy downpour with huge hail stones.
"Furniture was being whipped into the air and hurled across the showground and brand new cars on show were damaged.
"Then we saw the balloon lift off and within minutes the rain had stopped and the sun came out again. It was utter chaos for a couple of minutes."
A five-year-old British girl was killed when she was swept away in the mooring ropes of a helium balloon whipped up by high winds.
Her body was found around 40 miles from the scene.
It appeared the girl was standing near the balloon during an International Show at the Rheindalen British Army base in western Germany.
The balloon was discovered two hours later and the girl's body was found nearby.
British military spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Helen Wildman said the plan was to lift people up and down with the balloon tethered to a rope.
"The weather was very nice but suddenly it changed and it became extremely stormy," she said.
"The balloon broke away from the rope and flew away. Unfortunately, the rope got tangled with a five-year-old girl and dragged her away with the balloon."
Lt Col Wildman, who witnessed the incident, said an investigation had immediately been launched.
"It's a terrible freak accident," she said. "Most people didn't actually realise that there was anybody tangled up in the rope."
The girl's parents, a German mother and British serviceman, were said to be "devastated".
Twelve people were killed in storms in Germany over the weekend.
Lt Col Wildman said six other people were injured during the Rheindalen storm, with one needing hospital treatment.
"It appeared to be a summer shower but soon turned into an incredibly heavy downpour with huge hail stones.
"Furniture was being whipped into the air and hurled across the showground and brand new cars on show were damaged.
"Then we saw the balloon lift off and within minutes the rain had stopped and the sun came out again. It was utter chaos for a couple of minutes."
