NEWS
4 Killed, 1 Critically Injured In Hot Air Balloon Crash In Arizona
Eloy Police Department
Four people were killed and another was critically injured when a hot air balloon crashed in Arizona on Sunday.
The Eloy Police Department said the crash occurred at around 7:50 a.m. Sunday in the desert area east of Sunshine Boulevard and Hanna Road in Elroy.
Eloy Mayor Micah Powell said there were a total of 13 people in the balloon when it took off, but eight skydivers had jumped before the crash, leaving four passengers and a pilot. Police did not identify the victims, pending family notifications.
Per reports, the balloon experienced some type of catastrophic failure. Powell told the New York Times that witnesses said the balloon deflated and came straight down to the ground.
The cause of the crash remains unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
The Eloy Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of those involved in this heartbreaking incident, the department said.
TMX contributed to this article.
