Deadly hot air balloon crash in Texas
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News
Flowers left by Kimberly Martinez, of Lockhart, Sunday July 31, 2016, near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County.
Flowers left by Kimberly Martinez, of Lockhart, Sunday July 31, 2016, near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsLisa Peralez, of Nixon, Tx., prays, Sunday July 31, 2016, near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County.
Lisa Peralez, of Nixon, Tx., prays, Sunday July 31, 2016, near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsLisa Peralez, of Nixon, Tx., prays, Sunday July 31, 2016, near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County.
Lisa Peralez, of Nixon, Tx., prays, Sunday July 31, 2016, near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsFirst responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsFirst responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsLaw enforcement personnel block the road near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County Sunday July 31, 2016.
Law enforcement personnel block the road near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County Sunday July 31, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsInvestigators work the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Sunday July 31, 2016.
Investigators work the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Sunday July 31, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsA Texas State Trooper blocks the road near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Sunday July 31, 2016.
A Texas State Trooper blocks the road near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that killed 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Sunday July 31, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News Caldwell County Sheriff"s Deputy Sean Quinn rolls out crime scene tape to secure the area where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines early Saturday, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Caldwell County Sheriff"s Deputy Sean Quinn rolls out crime scene tape to secure the area where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines early Saturday, July 30, 2016, near ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of several people in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016. (Kin Man Hui/The San Antonio Express-News via AP) less First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of several people in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016. (Kin Man Hui/The ... more Photo: Kin Man Hui, AP The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas. Authorities say the accident caused a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas. Authorities say the accident ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, APInvestigators examine the scene of Saturday morning"s crash of a large smiley face hot-air balloon, shown taking off below, near Lockhart. The NTSB says it is the deadliest such crash in U.S. history.
Investigators examine the scene of Saturday morning"s crash of a large smiley face hot-air balloon, shown taking off below, near Lockhart. The NTSB says it is the deadliest such crash in U.S. history.
Photo: handoutInvestigators examine the scene of Saturday morning"s crash of a large smiley face hot-air balloon, shown taking off below, near Lockhart. The NTSB says it is the deadliest such crash in U.S. history.
Investigators examine the scene of Saturday morning"s crash of a large smiley face hot-air balloon, shown taking off below, near Lockhart. The NTSB says it is the deadliest such crash in U.S. history.
Photo: RODOLFO GONZALEZ, MBRThe partial frame of a hot-air balloon is visible above a crop field in Maxwell on Saturday as investigators comb the wreckage of an accident that killed at least 16 people near Lockhart.
The partial frame of a hot-air balloon is visible above a crop field in Maxwell on Saturday as investigators comb the wreckage of an accident that killed at least 16 people near Lockhart.
Photo: Ralph Barrera, MBR In this aerial photo authorities investigate after a hot air balloon caught on fire and crashed in in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less In this aerial photo authorities investigate after a hot air balloon caught on fire and crashed in in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a ... more Photo: Rodolfo Gonzalez, AP In this aerial photo authorities investigate after a hot air balloon caught on fire and crashed in in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less In this aerial photo authorities investigate after a hot air balloon caught on fire and crashed in in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a ... more Photo: Rodolfo Gonzalez, AP In this aerial photo authorities investigate after a hot air balloon caught on fire and crashed in in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Rodolfo Gonzalez/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less In this aerial photo authorities investigate after a hot air balloon caught on fire and crashed in in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas, Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a ... more Photo: Rodolfo Gonzalez, AP The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas. Authorities say the accident caused a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas. Authorities say the accident ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas. Authorities say the accident caused a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday, July 30, 2016, in Central Texas near Lockhart, Texas. Authorities say the accident ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP Police and National Transportation Safety Board officials head to a briefing near the site where a hot air balloon crashed, apparently killing at least 16 people, west of Lockhart, Texas, July 30, 2016. Authorities said that the ballon caught fire in the air and crashed in a pasture here about 30 miles south of Austin, leaving no survivors. (Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times) ORG XMIT: XNYT64 less Police and National Transportation Safety Board officials head to a briefing near the site where a hot air balloon crashed, apparently killing at least 16 people, west of Lockhart, Texas, July 30, 2016. ... more Photo: TAMIR KALIFAFirst responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsA Texas State Trooper blocks the road near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
A Texas State Trooper blocks the road near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsFirst responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsFirst responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-NewsMembers of the media gather near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Members of the media gather near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News Police and National Transportation Safety Board officials head to a briefing near the site where a hot air balloon crashed, apparently killing at least 16 people, west of Lockhart, Texas, July 30, 2016. Authorities said that the ballon caught fire in the air and crashed in a pasture here about 30 miles south of Austin, leaving no survivors. (Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times) less Police and National Transportation Safety Board officials head to a briefing near the site where a hot air balloon crashed, apparently killing at least 16 people, west of Lockhart, Texas, July 30, 2016. ... more Photo: TAMIR KALIFA, NYTFirst responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-NewsMembers of the media gather near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Members of the media gather near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-NewsFirst responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-NewsA Texas State Trooper blocks the road near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
A Texas State Trooper blocks the road near the scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-NewsFirst responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
First responders and investigators appear at a scene of a hot air balloon crash that reports indicate took the lives of 16 people near Maxwell, Texas in Caldwell County on Saturday, July 30, 2016.
Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Police maintain a perimeter around the site where a hot air balloon crashed, apparently killing at least 16 people aboard, west of Lockhart, Texas, July 30, 2016. Authorities said that the ballon caught fire in the air and crashed in a pasture here about 30 miles south of Austin, leaving no survivors. (Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times) less Police maintain a perimeter around the site where a hot air balloon crashed, apparently killing at least 16 people aboard, west of Lockhart, Texas, July 30, 2016. Authorities said that the ballon caught fire in ... more Photo: TAMIR KALIFA, NYT The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday morning, July 30, 2016, near x*x, Texas. Authorities say the accident caused a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday morning, July 30, 2016, near x*x, Texas. Authorities say the accident caused a ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday morning, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. Authorities say the accident caused a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday morning, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. Authorities say the accident caused a ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field at the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field at the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday morning, July 30, 2016, near x*x, Texas. Authorities say the accident caused a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less The partial frame of a hot air balloon is visible above a crop field as investigators comb the wreckage of a crash Saturday morning, July 30, 2016, near x*x, Texas. Authorities say the accident caused a ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a "significant loss of life." (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Investigators surround the scene in a field near Lockhart, Texas where a hot air balloon carrying at least 16 people collided with power lines Saturday, July 30, 2016, causing what authorities described as a ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, AP Police cars block access to the site where a hot air balloon crashed early Saturday, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. At least 16 people were on board the balloon, which Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said caught fire before crashing into a pasture shortly after 7:40 a.m. Saturday near Lockhart. No one appeared to survive the crash, authorities said. less Police cars block access to the site where a hot air balloon crashed early Saturday, July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas. At least 16 people were on board the balloon, which Federal Aviation Administration ... more Photo: James Vertuno, APFriends mourn victims of hot air balloon crash
MAXWELL Sixteen people are dead in the Central Texas hot air balloon crash, the National Transportation Safety Board said Sunday morning, making it the worst accident of its kind in U.S. history.
The National Safety Transportation Board expects to conduct a press conference today after flying into Texas this morning to examine the crash site.
Among the dead were three from the Houston area, a married couple and their friend, according to family members.
Grieving families gathered at a community center outside Ebenezer Lutheran Church where they have been fed, offered counseling and exclusive access to the church.
Scott Stephens, the congregation"s leader, opened up the morning"s service saying answers to Saturday"s tragedy will be difficult to find.
"It"s not one of those things you look up in the book," he said.
Parishioners keep asking, "What can we do to help," said Pastor Caleb Jeffers after Sunday morning"s service which included prayers for the families, emergency responders and all those touched by the hot air balloon crash. His hope is that families find the church "a safe place for you to be."
Lise Peralez came to the edge of the perimeter around the crash site, her walking stick in her right hand and a small bible in the other. Resting on her walking stick, she started crying and praying for the victims who perished in the accident.
"Oh dear G*d, I pray for all the people here, Lord," Peralez said. "I don"t know (them), but I know... their families are hurting, and I hurt."
As officials assessed the scene 30 miles south of Austin on Sunday, the identities of the victims slowly emerged.
In a statement, Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides, which operated the balloon, confirmed that among the dead was their pilot, Skip Nichols.
"Following the tragic loss of our beloved owner and chief pilot, Skip, and the passengers aboard the flight Saturday July the 30th, all flights have been canceled for the foreseeable future," read a recorded statement on the company"s voicemail. "Please understand that we are dealing with all the immediate circumstances of this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who passed away with Skip."
Nichols" roommate,Alan Lirette, who also works for the company, told The Associated Press that he helped launch the balloon on Saturday. He said 15 passengers were on board in addition to Nichols. None were children.
"That"s the only thing I want to talk about, is that he"s a great pilot," Lirette told The Associated Press."There"s going to be all kinds of reports out in the press and I want a positive image there too."
Angie Nadolny of Mattoon, Ill., said her brother, 43-year-old Joe Owens, and his wife, Tresa, died in the crash. The Houston-area couple had been married for 17 years, lived in Brookshire. Her brother worked as a butcher at H-E-B, while Tresa was a caregiver at Tiger Land Child Care in Katy.
The family has not received official confirmation of the couple"s death from authorities, Nadolny said. But shortly before the crash, her brother posted a photo on Facebook about going up in the balloon.
Nadolny said news of the couple"s death came as a great shock. She felt numb when she got off the phone with her sister. The Owens had recently celebrated their anniversary. Joe would have turned 44 next month.
"He was a very warm, caring person," Nadolny said of her brother. "He helped anybody he could. He"s just a goodhearted, fun-loving man."
Holly Smith Huckabee of Katy was also apparently killed, according to numerous online tributes by friends and family members. Huckabee appeared to have been friends with the Owens, according to social media profiles.
Many wrote of Huckabee"s faith, love for her family and positive personality. One man, a singer, knew Huckabee and the Owens. He was left in a "state of shock" when he heard of their deaths, he wrote on Facebook.
"They were such wonderful people," Reuben Rivera wrote on Facebook. "Holly, Joe and Tresa will be sorely missed. My heart and prayers goes out to both families as they go through this."
Two other apparent fatalities are Lorilee Brabson and her adult daughter, a close friend wrote on Facebook. Brabson"s daughter, who was not named in the post, had a young daughter of her own, wrote Britney Reeves Hedin. Hedin wrote that her heart is "completely broken" for the family.
"Lorilee was always an excellent example of loving and kindness to all," Hedin wrote. "She was sincere and so welcoming."
The Austin American-Statesman reported that Matt and Sunday Rowan were also victims in the crash. The couple was married in February. Matt Rowan was chief of clinical trials in burns and trauma Army Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio, according to his LinkedIn page.NTSB investigators are beginning the process of determining what caused the balloon to crash Saturday morning in a pasture near Lockhart, Texas, which is about 30 miles south of Austin,
NTSB member Robert Sumwalt said during a news conference Sunday in Washington, according to the Associated Press. He noted they"ll be looking at "three things human, machine and environment."
Investigators will scrutinize the pilot and the company, which operates in Houston, Austin and
San Antonio. The operation does not appear to be registered with the state of Texas.
The NTSB also said they"ll look at the aircraft"s maintenance history and weather at the time of the crash.
Source: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Friends-post-tributes-to-victims-of-hot-air-8854687.php
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