Balloon mishaps abounded around town Wednesday
Posted at: 10/10/2012 12:34 PM
By: KOB.com staff
It was supposed to be a peaceful morning for the Flight of Nations at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Wednesday.
But things quickly changed for a few crews around town after some winds kicked up.
First a balloon got tangled with a power line near Comanche and I-25.
That incident, which happened at around 8 a.m. near Alexander and Carmony caused a brief power outage. No one was injured.
We're told the balloon actually landed safely-- but a gust of wind that toppled the envelope over the power lines.That caused more than 2,200 PNM customers to lose power- which was restored shortly after the incident.
Another balloon mishap Wednesday involved the popular ladybug balloon. It got stuck on a light pole near San Mateo and Balloon Fiesta Parkway. Police say no one was hurt and power lines weren't affected.
There were a few other problems around town.
One was in Rio Rancho near Highway 528 and Idalia, where people fell out of a gondola.
Another was on Comanche and Bryn Mawr, and another was near Mission Avenue and Chappelle Drive.
No injuries were reported.
Despite those mishaps, it was a beautiful morning overall, as balloonists from around the world were on display and recognized in the Flight of Nations mass ascension.
At the event, balloons from 19 different countries were represented.
Wednesday's festivities got started with Dawn Patrol and a morning glow.
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