Aircraft Lands on Shrine!

Strange things have the habit of happening. Such as the time that an 'aircraft' made an emergency landing on the forecourt of the Shrine!

Early in the morning on 4th of August this year a Melbourne sightseeing hot air balloon, with a basket full of 'happy snappers' on board, was forced to ditch at the Shrine.

http://www.check-in.com.au/Melbourne/Global_Ballooning_Pty_Ltd.htm

It's pilot made a do or die decision, and opted to make an emergency landing on to the Shrine forecourt when he lost directional control of the balloon.

He felt that it was a better option than risking an incident over the cities buildings. The attending security staff were tasked with restraining the balloon by its tether ropes.

This 'Special area' of 'Holy ground' on which no man shall Skateboard, roller-blade, Cycle, sit, juggle, jog or walk their dog off it's leash, became a makeshift landing zone or 'El Zee' for the huge balloon.

You might think that this incident was 'one of a kind!' , but.....

Some years ago exactly the same thing happened, with a hot air balloon landing on almost the exact same spot!!...The only difference was that the balloon was in the shape of a huge green 'Freddo Frog'!! ( Good job no one 'croaked' it - Ha!...Ha!... )

http://www.freddofrog.com/

Seeing as this occurence is fast becoming the norm, some local people have said that thought should be given to setting up some form of permanent landing strip with lights on the forecourt to assist any future striken
'Balloonatic' to land safely!!

http://www.hotairballoons.com/hot_air_balloon_terms.asp?Link=b

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