Second Hot Air Balloon Collision in Recent Years Causes Tower to Collapse in US – World News
A radio tower in the US was struck and collapsed by a hot air balloon – the second instance of a balloon hitting the structure in 20 years.
No injuries were reported in the incident that occurred in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday.
The balloon, carrying three people, safely landed in a field after hitting the tower, as confirmed by the police.
A radio tower collapsing after a hot air balloon struck it. Pic: Curt Fargo via AP
Police officers at the scene after a hot air balloon hit a radio tower and knocked it over. Pic: Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP
The tower broadcasts radio signals for KKOB-AM, a local radio station.
The Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating, stated that the Aerostar International Inc S-57A balloon took off from a park as part of the 52nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
In a similar incident in 2004, a balloon shaped like a bear’s face became entangled with the same radio tower during the festival, leading the pilot and two passengers to climb down part of the structure.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue repsonds to the incident – the second time the tower as been hit in the last two decades. Pic: Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP
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Earlier this week, another balloon collided with a power line in Albuquerque during the festival, resulting in nearly 13,000 customers losing power for almost an hour.
The festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Mexico to see over 100 balloons, is one of the most popular events in the area.
