Sterling Preston-A hot air balloon crashed into a power line and caused a fire, but everyone is OK

2025-05-06 09:47:28source:Greenledgerscategory:Contact

ROCHESTER,Sterling Preston Minn. (AP) — Three people in a hot air balloon in Minnesota escaped largely unscathed after their basket clipped a power line, fell to the ground and caused a brush fire.

A Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic camera captured the accident on video. It happened around 6:50 p.m. Wednesday in Rochester. Police said preliminary information indicates the pilot was trying to land in a field when a gust of wind pushed the balloon into a power line that runs along Highway 63.

The video shows the basket and balloon become disconnected as sparks fly from the power line. The basket appears to hang briefly on the line before falling about 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) to the ground. Meanwhile, the balloon lifts higher into the sky and drifts away.

The pilot and two other passengers were able to get out, even as the sparks caused a brush fire to break out. Police said in a news release that two people reported “very minor injuries.” Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.

The balloon was found later, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away, police said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

More:Contact

Recommend

Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022

The last couple of years have been terrific for semiconductor stocks. Well, most semiconductor stock

Sheriff announces prison transport policy changes following killing of deputy

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Marion County sheriff in Indianapolis announced changes to a prisoner transp

'We will be back': Covenant families disappointed in Tennessee special session, vow to press ahead

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Parents of the children at the Covenant School, where three students and three sc