Daring rescue after hot air balloon crashes into communication tower

Two people were left dangling nearly 1,000 feet above the ground when a hot air balloon crashed into a Texas communications tower. On Saturday (28 February), Longview Fire Department crews were dispatched to the intersection of State Highway 300 and FM 1844 in north Gregg County after they received reports of a multi-coloured balloon becoming snagged. Footage shows responders using multiple 300-foot ropes after scaling the tower to safely remove the occupants, who were both still conscious. The pair were then lowered “rope by rope” until they were back on the ground, fire officials said at a press conference. The two victims were then transported to a local hospital as a “precautionary measure”.