Share and Follow
Longview, Texas, a city renowned as the balloon capital of the Lone Star State, recently witnessed a dramatic and nerve-wracking balloon rescue. This small city became the backdrop for a gripping scene when a hot air balloon collided with a cell tower, leading to a tense rescue operation.
On the morning of February 28, at around 8 a.m., a balloon carrying a pilot and one passenger hit a cell tower. The impact caused the balloon to shred and ensnare itself around the towering structure, leaving the basket perilously suspended more than 900 feet in the air.
Alarmed residents quickly dialed 911 as they noticed the balloon hanging dangerously above the ground. Their calls prompted a swift response from emergency services, with dozens of first responders rushing to the scene to manage the precarious situation.
A specialized task force consisting of 14 firefighters from the Longview Fire Department was dispatched to the site. These brave individuals faced the daunting challenge of ascending the tower, which soars to a height comparable to an 80- to 100-story skyscraper. After an arduous climb lasting over an hour, they finally reached the pilot and passenger, who were remarkably still alive and clinging to hope.
Once the firefighters secured the basket to the tower, the passengers were faced with the daunting task of climbing out themselves. The daring rescue operation concluded with both individuals safely brought down from their harrowing perch more than 900 feet above the ground, a testament to the teamwork and courage of all involved.
A specialized team of 14 firefighters from the Longview Fire Department climbed the tower, a height that is the equivalent of an 80- to 100-story skyscraper. After more than an hour, the team finally reached the pilot and passenger, still alive, still holding on.
Firefighters then secured the basket to the tower before the passengers had to climb out of the basket themselves, more than 900 feet above the ground.
More than four hours after the initial crash, both passengers made it safely to the ground. The cause of the crash is still unknown, and the FAA is investigating.
Tim Clanton, lieutenant of Longivew Fire Department and Eric Rozell, fire department engineer, told their training kicked in as soon as they arrived on scene.
“We need to do what we normally do at a smaller height that we practice all the time and just do it multiple times,” Clanton said of their initial thought process.
“On a normal tower, we would climb … probably like 300 feet, so we’d practice switching from rope to rope as you come down. We just had to do it multiple times. So, we’ve done this plan on a whiteboard and discussed it amongst different crews,” he added.
Rozell told the two passengers are “really glad to be back on solid ground” and to have a second chance at life.