Lunsford said there were at least 16 people on board.
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Authorities say there are fatalities after a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people caught on fire and crashed near Jolly Road and Cistern Road between Maxwell and Lockhart. “Names will be released by local officials after relatives have been notified”, FAA spokesperson Lynn Lunsford said in a statement.
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Hot air balloon crashes are rare, and injuries even more so.
Officials say a “significant investigation” will be done at the site of the Texas hot air balloon crash, which caused a “significant loss of life”.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the early morning crash on July 30.
Wylie also said the fireball was located under large power lines.
The sheriff’s office said it was working to determine the identities of those aboard the balloon.
“Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his wife expressed their sympathy in a statement, saying “[We] extend our deepest condolences for all those who have been affected by today’s heartbreaking tragedy.
KXAN in Texas reports that 911 callers initially thought a vehicle had crashed, but they were seeing the balloon’s burning basket.
From 2002-2012, 16 people in the United States died in hot air balloon accidents, according to KXAN.
The FAA said the crash took place at about 7:40 am (1240 GMT) and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.
The balloon was operated by the Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides.
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“When the Emergency Responders and the Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, it was apparent that the reported fire was the basket portion of a hot air balloon”, it added in a statement posted on Twitter.
