STAFF REPORTS
HUME — New York State Police responded to two separate hot air balloon accidents in the town on Thursday evening.
According to reports, at approximately 7:48 pm. NYSP were dispatched via Allegany County 911 to two different accidents involving hot air balloons.
Troopers responded to the first location in a field off Mills Road and found one hot air balloon containing 8 passengers and the pilot. One passenger suffered a leg injury and was transported to Dansville Hospital by Fillmore EMS.
Upon arrival at the second accident scene, off County Road 23, it was determined that the balloon contained four passengers and the pilot. Two passengers were ejected from the basket and suffered minor head injuries. Both were transported by Fillmore EMS to Warsaw Hospital.
According to the pilots of both balloons, the crashes “were caused by high winds that created a thermal uplift resulting in both pilots reducing their throttle to maintain proper elevation. When the thermal uplift conditions ceased, it resulted in both balloons losing control and having hard landings,” the NYSP report stated.
The FAA was notified and an investigation is ongoing.
