'I'm still shaking': Hot-air balloons crash minutes apart in Melbourne's east
Two hot-air balloons have made emergency landings in Melbourne's east with one partly landing in the backyard of a suburban home.
Paramedics were first called to High Street Road, near Eastlink, at Wantirna South about 7.53am Monday.
The second balloon landed in Terrara Park at Vermont South five minutes later.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said all on board escaped harm.
"The first balloon believed to be carrying nine people landed on High Street Road at Wantirna South," the spokesman said.
"The second balloon believed to be carrying eight people landed in Terrara Road at Vermont South.
"No one was injured in either incident."
Passengers on board the balloon that landed on an apple orchard in Wantirna South told Nine News they'd been in the air for just over an hour when they were told to brace for impact.
A spokesman for the ballooning industry said there had been strong and unexpected wind during the flights, according to Nine News.
Acting Senior Sergeant Carolyn Sunderland said the controller, who is believed to be an experienced pilot, took evasive action to land the balloon safely.
"He's just touched down a little bit heavily and then the balloon has skipped up and hit the slight incline, which has then caused the basket to tip over," she said.
Neighbour Alex Inglese told Nine News the balloon was travelling much lower than normal.
"I thought it was almost touching my roof it was that low. It was very noisy, noisier than usual."
Local resident Hannah Bailey was on her way to school in Vermont South when she heard people yelling for help.
“I didn’t really know what was going on but my parents were worried that someone was hurt,” she said.
“When we got there people walking their dogs and neighbours were already checking in.
“It was one of those times where you recognise how quickly strangers can come together and offer support.”
Christine from Vermont South called 3AW to describe the moment one of the hot-air balloons crash landed next to her house.
She said she ran downstairs in her pyjamas after hearing the balloon crash through gum trees before hitting her pergola.
"It was the scariest thing," she said. "I thought it was an earthquake. I'm still shaking actually."
Christine said the balloon was full of Chinese tourists. One woman had fainted but the rest were unharmed.
The company who owns the hot-air balloons, Global Ballooning Australia, said those on board had since been whisked away to a champagne breakfast.