The High Court of Australia has ruled that scarfs should not be worn if you are hot air ballooning.
The ruling came out of a fatal accident on 13 July 2013, when a passenger was boarding a hot air balloon at a location near Alice Springs for a flight at sunrise.
Passengers had been advised to wear beanies, scarfs and gloves, because it could be chilly at that time of day. Ms Bernoth wore a long scarf, wrapped twice around her neck, tied loosely at the front.
The fan to inflate the balloon had started, and three passengers had boarded the basket. As Ms Bernoth approached the basket, she passed by the inflation fan. The long lightweight tassels on her scarf were sucked into the inflation fan, causing her to be dragged towards the metal guard around the fan. The scarf was pulled tightly around her neck as it became entangled in the fan. She later died from the injuries sustained.
The photo shows the actual balloon as it started to inflate. Note how closely the fan is positioned to the basket.
Why was the High Court involved? The issue the High Court had to decide was whether WHS (Work Health and Safety) law applied. It decided it did, exposing the balloon operator to a fine of up to $1,500,000. This is in addition to its civil liability to compensate Ms Bernoth's estate for her death.
The moral is - don't wear a scarf on a hot air balloon because it puts the passenger at risk of injury or death and the operator at risk of a large fine.
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