Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
People ran screaming as a hot air balloon crashed through chairs, tables and attendees of a Hannibal, Mo. festival Saturday.
A young girl suffered minor injuries after the balloon crashed through some tree limbs and struck spectators at the Hannibal Bicentennial Celebration on Saturday evening.
An “experienced balloonist” was attempting to land when the hot air balloon grazed a tree, tipping the basket, according to the event’s organizers.
Stephanie Haught said she barely got out of the way before the balloon crashed. In a video she posted to Facebook, the balloonist is seen waving for people to get out of the way as the balloon descends.
Another event attendee told KHQA the basket hit the ground right behind him and “ran over his mother.” Other than a small cut on her finger his mother is fine, he said.
One man said his mother was knocked down by the balloon basket and suffered a cut to her hand but is otherwise OK.
A firetruck and ambulance were witnessed on scene, but Marion County Dispatch says the all-clear was given early on and police didn’t need to respond because it was considered a minor incident.
“Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, and the event continued,” the committee said in a statement.
–Metro Voice and wire services
