A fatal hot air balloon crash in Arizona resulted in four deaths and left one person critically injured on Sunday, according to local law enforcement. The accident occurred around 7:50 a.m. in a desert region of Eloy, a small town of just over 15,000 residents located approximately 65 miles northwest of Phoenix. Eloy is renowned as a hub for skydiving enthusiasts.
The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have taken the lead in the ongoing investigation.
Among the victims was 28-year-old Katie Bartrom, a registered nurse from Indiana with a passion for skydiving and adventure, as confirmed by her family. The identities of the other victims have not been released, pending notification of their families.
Details about the relationship among the victims remain unclear. According to Eloy Mayor Micah Powell, the balloon was carrying 13 people at the time of the incident. This included eight skydivers who had jumped prior to the crash, four passengers, and the pilot.
A witness account shared with the New York Times by Mayor Powell described the balloon as deflated and descending rapidly just before the crash. Eloy Police Department Chief Byron Gwaltney suggested that a catastrophic failure of some sort had occurred.
In a statement, the Eloy Police Department confirmed the tragic outcome of the incident, expressing their regret over the loss of four lives and the critical condition of one survivor. The department promised to provide further information as it becomes available and thanked the community for their support during this difficult time.
Eloy is home to two parachute manufacturers, Firebird USA and Sun Path Products, and boasts the world’s largest skydive drop zone, Skydive Arizona, located roughly five miles from the crash site. A representative from Skydive Arizona declined to comment on the incident.