Christopher Williams

By Don Mackay

A BRITISH hot air balloon enthusiast has been killed in a sledging accident in the Alps.

BALLOON ACE SLED HORROR

Always sad to hear about the passing of a fellow aeronaut, this from the Daily Mirror in the UK. Dated 13th Jan 2006

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=balloon-ace-sled-horror-&method=full&objectid=18461738&siteid=94762-name_page.html

Condolences to Christophers family and friends.

Christopher Williams, 45, had finished dinner with friends at a mountain refuge when he spotted a sledge outside and jumped on it.

But as he hurtled down a ski run at 50mph he hit a snowmobile.

Tree surgeon Mr Williams, from Tring, Herts, died at the scene near San Candido, Italy.

He had been on his third annual visit to a balloon festival.

Friend Mike Horn, his balloon pilot, said: "There was a party and sledges and snowmobiles were provided to return from the hut.

"He had wanted to get back down the mountain first. He went on a sledge but he went on the wrong piste."