Tangled balloon keeps 7 off ground

EVERETT – A hot air balloon got tangled in a grove of alder east of Everett on Friday afternoon, stranding seven people.

No one was injured in the accident, said Snohomish County Fire District Deputy Chief Ron Simmons.

Firefighters freed the passengers by cutting back downed limbs with chain saws.

Simmons said the balloon’s basket was lowered to the ground, but some of the equipment got caught in the trees near Lowell-Larimer Road.

Marilyn Harvey, owner of Airial Hot Air Balloon Co. of Snohomish, said winds forced the operator to land in an unfamiliar area.

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The hot air balloon was traveling with another balloon owned by The Balloon Depot, also of Snohomish, Harvey said.

Jay Woodward, owner of The Balloon Depot, said the balloon operators were trying to wait out heavy fog but decided to land before running out of fuel.

The operator of the balloon apparently touched down after spending 3 to 4 hours in the air and was running out of fuel, Simmons said.

Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com

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