Community Chat

[Kachina624]

Our fatal balloon accident had a sad backstory.  The passengers were two couples who were friends.  One of the women was the assistant principal of a city elementary school.  She was being transferred to another school and friends gave her a balloon ride for 4 as a going-away gift.  It was on her bucket list. 

The husband of the other couple was a retired city police officer working as a school resource officer.  I guess that's how they knew each other.

The balloon envelope and basket landed about a mile apart.  Nobody knows how they separated....the FAA is here investigating.  The basket landed right in the middle of a busy intersection after hitting power lines and catching fire.  Bystanders got a fire extinguisher and put the fire out. 

Of course police were immediately on the scene.  Several recognized their former colleague and were so overcome they had to leave the scene.

The pilot was also killed.  He was a beloved member of the ballooning community.

The whole city is in shock and grieving. 

[1Snickers]

So sad! 

[Pecky]

Very sad.

[fthunt]

This country has criss-cross power lines everywhere - and towers that makes your cell phones, etc.,......operate.

A slight change in the wind direction can send an un-steady balloon off course.

Yes, it's sad - but there are other safer modes of celebrating.

[Kachina624]

There are several commercial companies here that have fleets of balloons and give rides every day it's suitable to fly, hundreds a year. However, as in any sport there is a hazard factor, the most common being a rough landing due to a gust of wind. 

I have a fear of heights and keep my feet firmly on the ground.  I can understand the thrill and attraction of ballooning, however. 

[CrazyKittyLvr2]

@Kachina624   What a terrible thing to happen.  My sympathy to all involved.

I am with you on heights.  I like the idea of the balloon ride with will stay Earth bound.

On Safari live they showed balloon rides.  While there are no power lines I think about something happening and ditching in the croc and hippo filled river.

[ValuSkr]

The friends who gifted the balloon ride must feel terrible.  

[Kachina624]

@ValuSkr    That occurred to me also. 

[AuntG]

It started out with such good intentions (a gift) and turned out tragically. Thanks for the full story.

[LillyandHobo]

So sad. Sorry for the loss to their families, friends and community.. RIP and Love