Balloon pilot reported while landing a wind velocity higher than expected forced a divert to a different landing site. After landing the basket tipped over and the passenger fractured an ankle. The pilot was not injured and balloon was not damaged.

Narrative

Following an uneventful morning hot air balloon flight as I descended to land I realized the ground wind speed was much faster than the air I had been flying in (approx 800 ft. agl). I utilized a drop line to my ground crew near the north west corner of the intersection. although the ground crew was able to grab the drop line; the wind was such that they couldn't hold the balloon against it. As there was a crop of soybeans there that I didn't want to damage; I waved my crew off and flew on. Crossing a slight ridge in the direction of flight revealed a large grassy field. I shut off my fuel and pilot lights; reviewed the landing procedures with my one passenger; and prepared for a high wind rip out landing. The basket landed fairly hard; tipped over and was dragged before coming to rest in the field. When the basket tipped over the passenger landed on top of me. On coming to a stop; the passenger said she had stepped on her ankle with her other foot. We landed on the farm; approximately 1200 meters west of the earlier aborted landing. There was no damage to the aircraft; and no property damage. The passenger was able to walk on her sore ankle and rested while the aircraft was recovered. I offered to take the passenger to for medical evaluation but she declined. As she was a member of my crew as well as a passenger that morning; I was eventually able to convince her to be evaluated. I paid her expense at a walk in evaluation facility that x-rayed her ankle. They saw a fracture; placed it in a soft splint; and advised her to see an orthopedic doctor. She notified me yesterday that she required surgery and the use of screws and a plate to stabilize her ankle.