CHATSWORTH, Ill. (WTHR) - Two hot air balloons collided at a celebration in a small Illinois town, setting off a dangerous chain of events.
The crash happened Thursday at a festival in Chatsworth, when a sudden gust of wind sent a balloon soaring and slamming into another balloon below it. The first balloon cleared the scene, but the impact apparently caused the second balloon to spin out of control.
When the second balloon hit the ground, the pilot fell out of the basket, but held on to the side. As the balloon lifted 50-60 feet into the air, it came crashing down again, knocking the pilot to the ground.
But the balloon took off again with two passengers inside. The balloon fortunately descended later behind some nearby trees, allowing those on board to escape.
The pilot who fell was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries. He was reportedly the only one injured in the incident.
