WORLD : Balloon Victims Link Arms, Die
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ALICE SPRINGS, Australia — Most of the 13 people on a hot-air balloon that collided with another over the Australian outback locked arms before plummeting 2,000 feet to their death, authorities said today.
An aviation expert called Sunday’s accident the worst ballooning tragedy in the 206-year history of the sport.
The victims were 11 Australians, an Italian and a Dane, police said.
The accident occurred after the balloon, one of four on a sightseeing trip, rose quickly under a second one, struck it, then started to shake, said Irene Fielder of West Germany, who was on her first balloon ride when she witnessed the accident.
Authorities said three of the victims apparently tried to save themselves by jumping out at the moment of impact. The other 10 were found huddled, arms linked, in the woven basket attached to the canopy.
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