The multi-coloured balloon skirted the top of the power lines, sending at least one dangling and knocking out power to more than 13,000 homes, Gallegos said.
Five people were killed after a hot air balloon they were riding in the city of New Mexico's capital collapsed and a gondola crashed to the ground, police said on Saturday.(ads2)
The accident happened around 7am on the west side of Albuquerque, said police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos. No IDs were issued but fire officials said three men, including the pilot, and two women died.
Four of them were found dead at the scene, and a fifth died after being rushed to hospital in critical condition, Gallegos said.
The multi-colored balloon ran over the power lines, sent at least one pendant and flashed electricity to more than 13,000 homes, Gallegos said.
The gondola fell about 30 feet [30 m] high and crashed into a busy street, burning, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Those in a hurry rushed to ask the firefighter to put out the flames and to pray aloud, a video posted online shows.
The balloon envelope floated to the roof of the living room, Gallegos said. The FAA did not immediately have the details of the balloon registration but identified it as Cameron 0-120.
The balloon fell in the Southwynd housing area. On my neighbors house. pic.twitter.com/sBj5LO1g9n
— Austin Council (@AustinCouncil1) June 26, 2021
Authorities have not yet identified the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board sent two investigators to the scene on Saturday to check on the pilot, the balloon itself and the work area, said spokesman Peter Knudson. The first report is usually available within a few weeks.
Gallegos said hot air balloons can be difficult to manage, especially when the wind blows.
“Our correspondents tend to be very good at navigating, but sometimes we have these kinds of serious risks,” he said.
Albuquerque is a mecca of hot air balloon. The city hosted a nine-day event in October that drew hundreds of thousands of viewers and pilots from around the world. It is one of the most photographed events in the world.
Residents of the Albuquerque area are given colorful displays of balloons floating in homes and in Rio Grande throughout the year. Although accidents are rare, they do occur.
Since 2008, there have been 12 fatal accidents in the United States, according to the NTSB database. Two of those took place in Rio Rancho outside Albuquerque in 2008 and January this year.
On January 1, a passenger was injured when he was taken out of the car after a hard stay and later died.
In 2016 in neighboring Texas, a hot air balloon hit very strong electrical wires before hitting the central state pastures. All 16 of those aboard the ship died. Government officials said at the time it was the worst disaster in US history.
Posts
