This is one of those situations that make you NEVER want to try something ‘exciting or different’ with your weekend. Most of us associate hot-air ballooning as a relatively safe experience, right? Apparently the only thing that can make this your worst nightmare come true, is if the hot air balloon hits a power line. This is the end of the fun times. Immediately.

During a festival in Virginia last week, this is precisely what befell a balloon carrying 3 people. The resulting catastrophe that ensued meant that the balloon erupted into flames after hitting the power line, killing 2 people. The basket then separated from the balloon carrying the 3rd person and is currently missing, with person number 3 still inside. Horrifyingly, the police had to call off their search for the 3rd and missing person during nightfall on the same day and were only able to resume their search again the next morning. Status: Still missing. Most terrifying is the idea of being trapped in a burnt balloon basket somewhere remote whilst being severely injured and completely alone. This poor human being can now attest to owning the experience of ‘worst weekend ever’ – if they survive.

“Two women’s basketball officials at the University of Richmond were among the three people aboard the balloon, the university said in a statement.

They were associate head coach Ginny Doyle, a former basketball star at the University of Richmond who graduated in 1992, and director of basketball operations Natalie Lewis, who was a championship swimmer at the school and graduated in 2011, the statement said.

Police could not confirm which of the three people on board the balloon was still missing and which two were confirmed dead.

More than 20 hot air balloon teams from across the United States were to take part at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. The Saturday and Sunday events were canceled.” (Chicago Tribune)

[SOURCE] Chicago Tribune