2 children and woman injured in hot air balloon accident in Williams

WILLIAMS, AZ (AZFamily) — Three people, including a little girl and a teenager, were among those injured when a strong gust of wind swept away a hot air balloon and caused it to crash in northern Arizona on Saturday.

According to Williams police, officers were called to the hot air balloon accident just before noon at the Ramada Inn hotel near Interstate 40. Authorities said the balloon pilot reported wind speeds of about 7 to 12 miles per hour, but a sudden gust of wind increased the wind speed to 40 to 50 miles per hour.

As people tried to set up the balloon, it broke away from its anchor point, causing the balloon to crash into nearby buildings and vehicles, authorities said.

When the hot air balloon was carried away, there was no one in the basket.

Several passersby were injured by the balloon going out of control. An 8-year-old girl suffered a broken thumb and rope burns, while a 15-year-old boy suffered neck and back injuries. A woman suffered cuts in the accident.

Authorities said the balloon damaged two parked cars and knocked down canopies, folding tables and other merchandise. The explosion knocked down a light pole at the hotel, and a nearby building sustained electrical damage from the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the crash.

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