No Serious Injuries Reported When Aircraft Went Through A Crowd

A balloon participating in a bicentennial event for the town of Hannibal, MO went through a crowd of people at the event Saturday, causing a slight injury to one person on the ground.

A video of the incident posted to Facebook shows the balloon approaching the crowd through a stand of trees, knocking several people to the ground. Event organizers said one young girl was slightly injured when the balloon went through, but "we are relieved to report nothing more serious," according to a report from MSN.

Television station KHQA reports that according to the event organizers, the pilot of the aircraft, who was described as "experienced" but not identified, was attempting to land when the incident occurred. The balloon eventually continued on over an open field and then back into the air.

No one in the balloon's basket was injured, according to the report.

The Hot Air Balloon Fest included a "balloon glow" and tethered rides in a balloon, as well as a sunrise balloon launch Sunday. No events were cancelled due to the incident.

(Image from video posted to Facebook by user Sandra Jo)

FMI: Source report
Source report