A hot air balloon carrying 16 people in Texas has crashed and authorities believe there will be no survivors. The crash occurred near Lockhart, Texas — a small town near Austin known for its barbecue and rich Texas history.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott used social media to express his sympathies for the families of those affected.
May God’s restorative strength & grace be with the families affected by the tragic hot air balloon crash. #txlege https://t.co/1d2oPDVtj8
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 30, 2016
The Associated Press first reported the incident:
Authorities say it is likely there are no survivors after a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people caught on fire and crashed in Central Texas.
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Saturday that investigators are determining the number of victims and their identities.
Lynn Lunsford with the Federal Aviation Administration said in an earlier statement that the accident happened shortly after 7:40 a.m. Saturday near Lockhart, Texas, when the hot air balloon crashed into a pasture. Lunsford said there were at least 16 people on board.
Lunsford said that the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are going to the scene to investigate.
Hot air balloons have become increasingly dangerous over time due to the growing number of powerlines.
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