Hot air balloonoperator killed in Baran mishap

Kota: A 40-year-old hot air balloon operator died after falling from mid-air during a trial run at Khel Sankul ground in Baran city Thursday, the concluding day of the three-day ‘Baran Utsav'. The incident took place around 7am when preparations were underway for a hot air balloon show, one of several events scheduled for the festival's final day.
"The mishap occurred during the trial run," DSP Omendra Singh Shekhawat told TOI. An employee of the firm providing the hot air balloon service, Vasudev Khatri (40), a resident of Kota, was hoisted into the sky while clutching onto the balloon's rope.
When he was 60 feet or so above, the rope snapped, plunging him to the ground.
A grievously injured Khatri, bleeding profusely, was taken to Baran district hospital on a scooter, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
The DSP said the deceased employee was reportedly a specialist with two decades of experience in the field. Officials from Baran district administration as well as the police were present at the site of the incident.
DSP Shekhawat said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident and if the company had followed all safety protocols during the trial run.