One person was injured in an incident near State Road 429 and Western Way this morning when a hot air balloon crashed into a retention pond. The balloon was carrying 17 passengers; Orange County Fire Rescue tweeted that 15 people were on the side of the pond at the site.
AIRCRAFTW – S SR 429. Hot air balloon into retention pond. 15 ppl on side of pond. No haz, 1 BLS, cancel additional units.
— OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) July 3, 2017
“The pilot had to make an emergency landing,” said FHP spokeswoman Kim Montes, “He attempted to land in a field off the Turnpike, but ended up in a retention pond.”
Mark Lehman from Orlando’s News 6 reported from the scene of the crash, and tweeted out a few updates:
Close up view of @OrlandoBalloon after emergency landing. Passengers say pilot was trying to avoid being pushed into power lines from wind. pic.twitter.com/QVPqo7fbzv
— Mark Lehman (@MarkLehman6) July 3, 2017
Passenger from hot air balloon speaks with #News6 about emergency landing in retention pond. Says one child was taken to hospital. pic.twitter.com/Ql27qAy0pf
— Mark Lehman (@MarkLehman6) July 3, 2017
State Road 429 is currently open to traffic.
Source: News 6
