Additional Coverage:
- Two passengers rescued after hot air balloon crash into Texas cell tower leaves them dangling 920 feet up (nbcnews.com)
Longview, TX – A thrilling morning in Longview saw two individuals dramatically rescued after their hot air balloon collided with a cellphone tower on Saturday, leaving them dangling precariously nearly a thousand feet in the air.
The Longview Fire Department confirmed that both occupants were conscious and, remarkably, reported no injuries following the astonishing incident. Describing it as a “high angle rescue,” the department sprang into action at 8:15 a.m.
Firefighters faced an hour-long climb to reach the stranded balloon. “Climbing operations began around 8:50 AM using multiple rope systems due to the extreme height and complexity of the incident,” the Longview Fire Department shared on social media.
Rescuers successfully made contact with the two balloon occupants around 10 a.m. The department emphasized the “highly technical and time intensive operation” involved in bringing the pair safely back to solid ground.