Hot Air Balloon Crashes In Texas, Several Feared Dead

Amy Coyne Bredeson
by Amy Coyne Bredeson
Last updated: 4:15 PM ET, Sat July 30, 2016

A hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people caught on fire and crashed Saturday morning in Central Texas, causing a "significant loss of life," officials told the Associated Press.

The balloon appears to have crashed at about 7:40 a.m. directly under large power lines near Lockhart, which is roughly 30 miles south of Austin, AP reported.

[READMORE] READ MORE: The World's Best Hot Air Balloon Rides [/READMORE]

Erik Grosof with the National Transportation Safety Board said there are a "number of fatalities" but did not give an exact number, according to AP. Earlier in the day, authorities said there were probably no survivors.

Officials have not said where the balloon came from but are investigating the incident, AP reported.

[READMORE] READ MORE: Russian Balloonist Breaks Record Flying Around Globe [/READMORE]

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement obtained by AP: "The investigation into the cause of this tragic accident will continue, and I ask all of Texas to join us in praying for those lost."


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Amy Coyne Bredeson

Amy Coyne Bredeson

Amy Coyne Bredeson is a freelance writer and editor in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. She has worked in journalism for the...

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