Four Hurt as Hot Air Balloon Hits Power Line
A hot air balloon struck a power line Sunday during an annual city festival, critically burning the pilot and a passenger. Two other people suffered minor injuries.
Pilot Jonathan Ash was attempting to land in a park when a wind gust carried the balloon onto the power lines at a nearby truck stop, witnesses said.
Ash, 47, and passenger James Rasmussen, 45, both suffered burns over half their bodies and were taken to an area hospital. Rasmussen’s 9-year-old son, John, and a female passenger suffered only minor injuries, officials said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
