Four people were killed and another critically injured after a hot air balloon crash Sunday morning near Eloy, Arizona, authorities said.
According to the Eloy police press release there were 13 people were on board the balloon gondola - eight skydivers, one operator and four passengers.
The crash occurred about 7:50 a.m. Sunday in a rural desert area about 60 miles (97 km) south of Phoenix.
Multiple people made 911 calls to report the crash.
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The incident occurred after the eight skydivers had exited the balloon.
”What we know at this point is the skydivers were able to exit the balloon without incident and completed their planned skydiving event, and then shortly thereafter something catastrophic happened with the balloon causing it to crash to the ground,” said Eloy Police Chief Byron Gwaltney.
According to an eyewitness, the material of the hot air balloon was straight up and down as it came down and the impact was large.
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Three people were taken to an area hospital, where they later died. One person was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The person in critical condition was taken to a trauma center in Phoenix, according to Powell.
On Monday, police identified the four victims as Chayton Wiescholek, 28, from Union City, Michigan; Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, from Andrews, Indiana; Atahan Kiliccote, 24, from Cupertino, California; and Cornelius van der Walt, 37, originally from South Africa and residing in Eloy.
Van der Walt was the pilot, according to the Eloy Police Department.
Valerie Stutterheim, 23, from Scottsdale, Arizona, was critically injured in the incident, police said.
The close-knit city has a “very large skydive community presence” and boasts a large “drop zone,” or area where skydivers can land, according to the mayor.
NTSB investigators were at the scene Sunday night documenting the crash site and examining the aircraft, which will be brought to a secure facility for further analysis in the coming days.
The aircraft was an A-160 passenger balloon manufactured by Cameron Balloons, according to the NTSB. The model can carry a pilot and up to seven riders, the manufacturer’s website says. CNN has sought comment from Cameron Balloons.
The Eloy Police Department said it is working with the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration on the investigation.
“While we continue our efforts, we ask for your thoughts and support for the families and loved ones affected during this difficult time,” police said.
