Balloon crashes killing one at Albuquerque festival

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Balloon crashes killing one at Albuquerque festival

(AP) BERNALILLO, N.M. – A hot air balloon crashed into power lines and burst into flames Friday, killing one of two men thrown from the basket and critically injuring the other during Albuquerque's annual balloon fiesta.

Blazing fuel tanks hang from a hot air balloon that slammed into power lines Friday, during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. One man was killed and another was injured in the accident.

WHAT HAPPENED

Witnesses said the Wings of Wind balloon landed, bounced back up into the air, hit power lines and burst into flames north of Albuquerque. Some witnesses said they saw someone jump or fall from the gondola, then it fell to the ground and the balloon floated north about 15 miles before collapsing.

HIGH WINDS

Witnesses said winds had picked up a bit and many of the balloons were flying low and fast in the area of the crash.

KILLED, HURT

Stephen Lachendro of Butler, Pa., was killed. The owner of the balloon, Keith Sproul of North Brunswick, N.M., was critically injured.

ANNUAL FIESTA

The yellow, brown and orange balloon was among hundreds of balloons participating in Friday's events at the annual lbuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which runs through Sunday.

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