Albuquerque hot air balloon takes hard landing in Rio Grande
Posted at: 09/22/2012 1:37 PM
| Updated at: 09/22/2012 5:33 PM
By: The Associated Press; Shaun Griswold, KOB.com
 Crews transport an individual who suffered minor injuries after a hot air balloon took an emergency landing into the Rio Grande. |
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Authorities in Albuquerque say eight people were in a commercial hot-air balloon as the pilot tried to let the craft's basket dip into the Rio Grande.
Albuquerque Fire Department spokeswoman Melissa Romero says the balloon crashed into the river at about 8 a.m. Saturday during the attempted "splash and dash" maneuver.
Three people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The balloon ended up on an island in the Rio Grande and technical rescue crews had to rig a rope across the river to bring the injured to shore.
Bernalillo County also brought in a hovercraft to reach the balloon.
Romero says none of the injuries appeared to be serious but three people were taken to hospitals for treatment.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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