Hot-Air Balloon Hits Train in Wisc., 3 Seriously Hurt

The Charlotte Observer

Three adults suffered life-threatening injuries after a hot air balloon they were riding in slammed into a train, according to Wisconsin police.

Police in Burlington, about 35 miles southwest of Milwaukee, say the crash happened around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1. Two of the people seriously injured were flown to a hospital, and the third was taken to the hospital by an ambulance, police said.

Witnesses told police the hot air balloon “appeared in distress” before it collided with the northbound Canadian National train.

Brian O’Neill, who told TMJ4 he witnessed the crash, said the hot air balloon “struck a building, bounced off of it and was hit by the moving train.”

Burlington police said they are conducting an investigation with the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Canadian National, and the Wisconsin State Patrol to determine the cause of the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Burlington police at 262-342-1104.