Hot air balloon crash kills man in Switzerland

A hot air balloon has crashed near the western Swiss town of Montbovon, killing a holidaying father and seriously injuring his wife, two daughters and the pilot.

Police in the Fribourg region said a 55-year-old American man died at the scene when the balloon fell 165ft after it crashed into an electric power line while trying to land after a two-hour flight from the town of Chateau-d’Oex.

His wife, also 55, and their two daughters, aged 20 and 24, have life-threatening injuries and were taken by helicopter to hospital.

The 65-year-old pilot also was seriously injured and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Authorities have opened an investigation.