Breaking Local News: Virginia Police Search for 2 Missing People After Fiery Hot Air Balloon Crash
Search teams have recovered the body of one the passengers of a hot air balloon that caught fire Friday night in Virginia.
The fatal crash occurred at the Mid-Atlantic Balloon Festival near Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. According to the Daily News, the balloon carrying two passengers and one pilot went up in flames after coming in to contact with a power line.
Witnesses reported seeing the balloon strike the line while trying to land. The pilot initially tried to gain control of the growing fire but to no avail. At one point, two people jumped from the gondola. There was an explosion, and then the basket fell.
"As soon as we looked up, the thing blew up right there," said witness Debra Ferguson to The Free Lance-Star, (as quoted by USA Today). "All I heard was, 'Oh my God, Oh my God,' and all you saw was the top of the balloon still flying, but all of the basket was gone. All of the flames just disappeared. ... It was like a match -- poof -- and then it was gone."
Resident Carrie Hager-Bradley reported seeing the balloon as she returned home from the grocery store.
"They were just screaming for anybody to help them," Hager-Bradley said to WWBT TV. She recalled hearing cries of help. "'Help me, help me, sweet Jesus, help. I'm going to die. Oh my God, I'm going to die."
Police have not yet located the balloon's gondola. Authorities say they will expand their search by air if the weather permits.
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