4 People Dead, 1 Injured After Hot Air Balloon Crash In New Mexico

Authorities announced during a press conference Saturday morning that four persons were killed and one was seriously injured after a Hot Air Balloon crashed near Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Authorities said a Cameron 0-120 hot air balloon collided with a power wire soon after 7 a.m., roughly six miles west of Albuquerque International Sunport Airport. The passengers’ basket detachment from the envelope caused it to crash and catch fire.

Albuquerque Fire Rescue informed ABC News Albuquerque station KOAT that the basket dropped 100 feet.

The envelope continued to travel south of the accident scene, according to officials. The scene’s aerial and ground photos show it landed in a garden.

The victims are believed to be in their 40s and 60s, according to police. Authorities said two males, including the pilot, and two women died. The injured person was treated on the spot and sent to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the incident with the National Transportation Safety Board, there were five persons on board in total.

According to KOAT, more than 13,000 people in the region lost power after the collision, but it has since been restored.

Officers are responding to a hot air balloon collision at Central Avenue and Unser Boulevard, according to Albuquerque police on Twitter.