topic Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news in Community Chat

Kachina624 fill us in on local news

gertrudecloset — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 19:20:45 GMT

about the hot air ballon crash. I've read a small bit as it is just breaking here. At least four people died?

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

On It — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 19:32:32 GMT

I am currently in New Mexico and saw the breaking news report concerning the crash this morning. There were 4 killed and one person seriously injured. The first responders think the basket hit power lines and came apart from the balloon. Power is off to about 13,000 people while the scene is being secured. The power company felt it was too dangerous to restore power at once. The reporter asked about identities of the victims, but the information indicated they ranged from 40's to 60's in age. It was unknown if they were local or tourists.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

Kachina624 — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 19:34:04 GMT

@gertrudecloset I'll have to plead ignorance. I haven't had the TV or radio on and just read about it on the CNN website where there's a good report. It happened on the South side of town and I live North of the city. Sounds like a fifth person may not make it.

I keep my feet firmly on the ground.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

just bee — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 19:39:21 GMT

Four were killed, one was hospitalized. That individual, unfortunately, did not survive.

The envelope separated from the gondola and the gondola hit power lines. These accidents are rare but when it happens... well, it's just awful.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

gertrudecloset — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 19:44:36 GMT

@On It wrote:
I am currently in New Mexico and saw the breaking news report concerning the crash this morning. There were 4 killed and one person seriously injured. The first responders think the basket hit power lines and came apart from the balloon. Power is off to about 13,000 people while the scene is being secured. The power company felt it was too dangerous to restore power at once. The reporter asked about identities of the victims, but the information indicated they ranged from 40's to 60's in age. It was unknown if they were local or tourists.

@On ItI just went to check my email and saw it as a breaking news story. Since, I don't live anywhere near there I thought, those in the area might know more. Thanks @Kachina624 .

Thanks for the summary thus far.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

On It — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 19:53:01 GMT

@gertrudecloset New Mexico news for most of the state is provided by the Albuquerque TV stations. I am currently 3 hours south of Albuquerque but our cable tv was tuned to the ABC station when they broke in with the news of the crash. They had a team on the way to the site. Once the team arrived they again broke in with the story's limited details. Identities of the victims were a big concern but no information was available.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

gertrudecloset — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 19:54:48 GMT

I'll check out some of the larger news channels (nationwide). USA Today might have some info too....

Thanks @On It .

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

Kachina624 — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 19:57:15 GMT

@just bee Remember when they had a similar bad accident years ago and people were killed?

I had been visiting my parents and left to drive back to Texas. When I got to Coors Blvd. across from Target, where there was then a vacant lot, there were people getting into the largest gondola I'd ever seen. I sat at a red light and watched them. They were laughing and having a great time. That was the balloon that crashed.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

FancyPhillyshopper — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 20:58:27 GMT

So very, very sad. Flying in a balloon was one of the very first tourist things I had to do when I visited New Mexico and Arizona. Floating in the sky is so peaceful and quiet, and the world looks tranquil and small from up in the clouds. The pilot regulates the flow of air/gas and watches the direction of travel. I know it is a very popular pastime. I even had a friend in New Mexico who received her balloon pilot's license. They always try to be very cautious with all procedures.

Yet any sport/activity can have an element of danger. Getting in and out of that gondola can be a little tricky. A sudden gust of wind can send the balloon off course, unfortunately.

I send my condolences to the victims and their families.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

patbz — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 21:07:51 GMT

Believe it or not, my city of 11000 is trying to have a gallon festival this weekend. They tried in 2019 but it rained. Looks like it may rain this afternoon and/ or tomorrow. Why would they plan such an event during monsoon season?

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

Mistreatedbycs — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 21:08:51 GMT

WoW...this brought back so many memories.

I was ALMOST a casualty years ago when I was a guest of a supplier and they had hot air balloon rides for us at the Statesville Airport in NC.

The weather was overcast, got in the basket (they are not big at all), total of 5 of us including the pilot. We went about a mile or so but then he was decending and almost and I mean almost I saw my life in front of me, there were plenty of electrical lines next to this field. We ended up in a huge tree, these huge long bugs were thrown in the basket from the trees and maybe 300 feet from the electrical lines. After that, all I remember was landing in this field, the grass was over my knees and we had to run to meet the chase team that picks you up. We had dinner at the Statesville Country Club and someone local said, boy, you were lucky, that field has a lot of snakes in it.

So, never and I mean never again, they are pretty to look at and it was a one and done.

I can see why people die from balloon rides, it happens with even the most experienced pilots.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

Kachina624 — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 21:46:47 GMT

@patbz Maybe they had low expectations for the monsoon.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

BlueFinch — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 22:13:55 GMT

I remember watching an air B festival once, floating gracefully over my mother's property. They were gorgeous. All fun and games, until one descended and crashed in a neighbor's field. It was a very close call, but there were just minor injuries.

After witnessing that event, I was already leery about ever going for a ride, myself. Then after the very tragic one we all know of, you couldn't pay me to get on one. And now this. Horrendous!

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

Desertdi — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 22:17:00 GMT

@patbz wrote:
Believe it or not, my city of 11000 is trying to have a gallon festival this weekend. They tried in 2019 but it rained. Looks like it may rain this afternoon and/ or tomorrow. Why would they plan such an event during monsoon season?

@patbz Those "adventurers" even take off in the winter.....can you imagine how COLD it is up there?

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

On It — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 23:50:19 GMT

@gertrudecloset The CBS Albuquerque station reported that the crash today was the deadliest in New Mexico ballooning history. Witnesses said the balloon crashed into power lines before the gondola (I called it the basket in my earlier post) caught fire and crashed to the roadway. The envelope rose on its own until it deflated and landed in a yard some distance away. The gondola is still lying in the street waiting for FAA and NTSB investigations.

One of the passengers was a retired APD and Albuquerque Public Schools Officer and his wife. The other 3 have yet to be identified.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

songbird — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 23:57:01 GMT

We had some balloon festival (usually during Preakness Stake Week) I remember several years ago, one landed in a neighbor's property. They had that bottle of Wine that they give the owner of the property they landed in. We didn't have it this Preakness. And of course, not in 2020.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

lovesrecess — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 02:07:50 GMT

There were five people who died according to the local news here. I used to live in Albuquerque and would be interested to know which intersection it crashed into. Prayers for those impacted by this tragic accident. We always looked forward to the Abq.Balloon Fiesta every fall...so much fun! But I never had the courage to go up, up, and away in one of the balloons....only one that was tethered.

Re: Kachina624 fill us in on local news

On It — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 02:48:29 GMT

@lovesrecess wrote:
There were five people who died according to the local news here. I used to live in Albuquerque and would be interested to know which intersection it crashed into. Prayers for those impacted by this tragic accident. We always looked forward to the Abq.Balloon Fiesta every fall...so much fun! But I never had the courage to go up, up, and away in one of the balloons....only one that was tethered.

It was near Central and Unser, west of the CVS. A fifth person died after being taken to the hospital. Four were dead at the scene.