Hot air balloon hits power lines, crashes into lake in Michigan
HOWELL, Mich. (WLS) -- Witnesses captured horrifying moments as a hot air balloon crash-landed in a Michigan lake during a festival.
The balloon carrying one man struck power lines over Thompson Lake in Howell just after 8 a.m. Sunday, according to ABC affiliate WXYZ.
A local fisherman, Dave Park, was admiring the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest's flyover when he saw a balloon hit the wires, sparking an explosion and fire.
After calling 911, Park and another boater rescued the pilot and brought him to shore, where rescue crews were waiting.
"To be honest with you, I thanked the pilot for being alive because I thought when we got over there it wasn't going to turn out so well but it did," Park told WXYZ.
In a statement, the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest director said there were no injuries and the cause of the accident is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Authorities (FAA).
