Three hot air balloons crashed to the ground Monday morning, injuring about 16 occupants. One of those was life-flighted to Idaho Falls with a head injury. Teton County Sheriff’s Matt Carr says the call came in at 8:13 am. A witness told Jackson Hole Radio that he watched as one of the stricken balloons with a large basket careened into the trees. Carr says the accident occurred about two miles south of Teton Village. Fire/EMS Chief Brady Hansen says it appears the balloons were suddenly driven to the ground and the three balloons were not found near each other. Furthermore, he says the balloons were lying in different directions from each other’s final resting places. Scores of fire trucks, ambulances and rescue workers from throughout Teton County and Grand Teton National Park responded to the multiple sites where the balloons came down. Carr says an investigation into the crash is still pending, but weather is being considered as a factor.
