The balloon was carrying a pilot and 24 passengers when it landed in a field in Hunter Valley shortly after hitting the tree, Professional Ballooning Association of Australia spokesman Damian Crock said. They were taken by ambulance to hospitals for treatment of suspected broken bones and spinal injuries, New South Wales Ambulance said in a statement. None of them had suffered anything massively life-threatening and the injuries ranged from suspected broken bones to spinal injuries. According to ABC, police said the balloon had been removed by the time they arrived at the scene, and that emergency services had not been called after the crash. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the balloon, operated by Balloon Safaris, came down in Pokolbin at about 8 am Friday. 16 hurt as hot air balloon crashes into tree in Australia

16 hurt as hot air balloon crashes into tree in Australia

16 people were injured in the crash

Sixteen people have been injured after a hot air balloon crashed into a tree, leaving some with broken bones and spinal injuries.
A hot air balloon hits a tree near Sydney, Australia, wounding 16 people.