Virgin Balloon Flights' pilot and proud dad Richard Prowse with new arrival Rocky

Flying and landing a huge hot air balloon full of passengers is challenging enough – but it takes a special pilot to stay calm on hearing their wife is about to give birth thousands of feet below!

Virgin Balloon Flights’ Richard Prowse managed to do just that when his other half Melanie went into labour while he was soaring high over the beautiful Devon countryside.

Richard’s crew radioed him from the ground with the exciting news during a flight from Filham Park in Ivybridge on Saturday, June 24. But rather than being fazed, he brought the balloon down softly near Totnes, made the traditional champagne toast, and dashed off in the VBF 4x4 to take 31-year-old Melanie 20 miles from their home in Ugborough to Torbay Hospital.

There she gave birth to 7lb bundle of joy Rocky Grant Prowse, the couple’s second child behind their little girl Velvet who is 19 months old. After the unforgettable events Richard, who has 13 years experience as a commercial balloon pilot, said it was ‘all in a day’s work’.

“I couldn’t believe it when the crew told me Melanie’s waters had broken as she wasn’t due for another eight days. I think my 10 passengers were quite surprised too,” he said.

“I just tried to stay calm and go with flow because that’s the only thing you can do. The main thing was landing safely and then getting Melanie to hospital so she’d be in the best hands.

“It all worked out fine in the end and Rocky is so perfect,” he added.

Richard, who flies for Virgin Balloon Flights all over the West Country, said mother and baby were home and doing well. He added that his son’s timing was fitting as they were christening a brand new Virgin balloon that very night.

Melanie, managing director of an independent television production company, and Richard thanked all the staff at the hospital for everything they did.

For more information about Virgin Balloon Flights or to book a flight with Richard, click here or call 0870 444 2768.

ABOUT RICHARD’S BALLOON…

- Registered Name = G - VBFD
- Balloon ‘envelope type’= UltraMagic 250 Series N
- Holds 250,000 cubic ft of air
- Envelope Height (when inflated) of envelope = 25.5 m
- Total height (inc. basket etc) = 30.3 m
- Diameter at equator = 24.9 m
- Fuel usage = 250 litres an hour
- Maximum flight duration (with VBF) = 1hr 45mins, Average = 1 hour, Minimum 45mins
- Total weight 2 tonnes+
- Can fly up to 30,000ft, and legally up to 10,000ft without oxygen
  (but VBF normally flies up to 2,000ft with passengers).

For press enquires please call PR & Marketing Account Manager Alex Ferguson on 01952 212760 or email alexf@virginballoonflights.co.uk

To experience a breathtaking Virgin Balloon Flight yourself click here.