WFCN —
A sudden blast of wind in Arizona forced a runaway hot air balloon to take off, causing serious damage to nearby property and powerlines as well as numerous casualties.
Three individuals, including an 8-year-old girl and a 15-year-old male, were injured after a hot air balloon in northern Arizona collapsed on Saturday, July 6 at 11:48 a.m. local time, according to a press statement from the Williams Police Department.
“A hot air balloon crash at the Ramada Inn Hotel prompted the Williams Police Department to respond. The mishap happened as the balloon was getting ready for use.
The balloon broke free from its anchor point and crashed into surrounding buildings and cars, according to the release. The pilot, Dwayne Osborne, stated that the winds had been about 7-8 miles per hour at first. However, a sudden thermal gust of air caused the winds to increase to 40–50 miles per hour.
Arizona’s Hot Air Balloon Disaster
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In Wyoming, a hot air balloon crash results in at least 12 injuries; witnesses describe it as “crazy.”
PEOPLE’s request for comment was not immediately answered by the Williams Police Department.
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The three people who were hurt in the hot air balloon crash were taken to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment, according to the Williams Police Department, even though there were no passengers inside when it was swept away by the strong winds.
The announcement said that the 15-year-old boy suffered back and neck injuries, the 8-year-old female suffered a broken thumb and rope burns, and the adult female suffered abrasions.
A hot air balloon lands on an interstate in Vermont. After It “Stalled in Flight,” the hot air balloon’s rapid pace had an effect on more people than just pedestrians. According to officials, it also seriously damaged neighboring cars and caused property damage to tables and canopies before toppling a light pole at the Ramada Inn.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified of the collision and will be conducting a more thorough investigation, according to the Williams Police Department, which secured the area and gathered collision-related evidence.