Wisconsin Hot Air Balloon Accident Victims Released From Hospital

Three people were injured when a hot air balloon collided with a train in Wisconsin. The individuals—who were erroneously reported to have suffered life-threatening injuries—were treated and released from a Milwaukee hospital.  

Early reports from on-scene witnesses indicated the hot air balloon appeared to be in distress before colliding with a northbound train. 

Alia Underwood, who claims to have seen the balloon going down seconds before it crashed into a train, states, "At first I saw the train, and I saw the hot air balloon be sucked down by the wind of the train, and then when it popped back up, I saw the basket was gone. I saw things dangling and I'm like 'There's nobody. They fell out of the basket.” 

In a statement to police, the balloon’s pilot—who is affiliated with the Lake Geneva Balloon Co.—stated he was attempting to land the aircraft when the gondola touched down and the balloon became entangled with the train. It is not clear how fast the train was moving. 

Canadian National, the train’s operator, declined to comment.

The Federal Aviation Administration reports the crash involved a Cameron Balloons Z-90 hot air balloon.

The city of Burlington Police Department is conducting a collaborative investigation with the National Traffic Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, Canadian National, and the Wisconsin State Patrol to determine the cause of the crash. A preliminary report is expected in two weeks.

The crash occurred almost one year after a deadly, Mew Mexico accident in which five people perished when a hot-air balloon impacted power-lines near Albuquerque.

FMI: https://lakegenevaballoon.com/