Updated July 16, 2016 22:34:34

Photo: The hot air balloon crashed into a property near York. (Supplied: Channel 7)

A hot air balloon crashed in a paddock on Saturday morning after clipping trees near York, about 100 kilometres east of Perth.

A rescue helicopter was sent to pick up the pilot, a man aged in his 40s, after he sustained head injuries.

He was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

It is believed about 16 passengers were on board the balloon at the time, but none were hurt in the incident.

Passenger Vern Graham said the pilot fell out of the balloon as it was landing.

"The pilot attempted to land once and couldn't make it," he said.

"We went up again, travelled for about a kilometre and a half, [and] it came down. It was quite rough.

"Someone shouted: 'The pilot's fallen out'. It lifted a little bit more, crashed into a tree and came to a stop.

"Luckily everyone got out. All the passengers were okay, but the pilot was quite seriously injured."

Police said air safety authorities would investigate.

Topics: accidents---other, york-6302

First posted July 16, 2016 12:32:12