A dramatic incident occurred in Texas, USA, when a hot air balloon snagged a communication tower about 274 meters tall, leaving its occupants stranded in mid-air for over four hours before rescue teams brought them down safely.
Firefighters in Longview, Texas, USA, reported receiving a call at 08:13 on Saturday, 28 February, about a hot air balloon striking a radio tower near State Highway 300 and FM 1844.
Upon arrival, they found the balloon suspended more than 900 feet (about 274 meters) above ground. The multicolored balloon fabric was torn and wrapped around the tower's steel cables, while the basket hung below, swinging dangerously in the wind.
Drone footage showed the two balloon pilots climbing out of the basket, wearing safety harnesses, then swinging themselves onto the tower's structure for rescue personnel to reach them.
Lieutenant Stephen Winchell of the Longview Fire Department said this was not a routine rescue. Climbing a tower of this height required significant manpower and intensive teamwork.
Fourteen rescuers positioned themselves at various heights along the tower. Rescue ropes, with a maximum length of only 300 feet, meant the victims had to be lowered in stages, passing the ropes from one point to another.
It took about an hour to climb up to the basket and another hour to secure both individuals onto the tower structure before starting the rappel down, which took nearly two hours. The entire operation lasted more than four hours.
Winchell stated that climbing nearly 1,000 feet up and down with heavy equipment was a highly strenuous task, but the outcome was rewarding as both individuals were rescued successfully.
Marcus Delaney, a Longview firefighter, said at a press conference that the two victims were taken to a local hospital for observation, despite being in stable condition.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Monday it will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident involving the Cameron Z-77 balloon model to determine the exact cause of the accident.
. Source:AP
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