A pink pig-shaped balloon crashed into trees at a hot air balloon festival in Provo, Utah, on Thursday morning, causing minor burns to the pilot and deflating the mood at an otherwise joyous event meant to honor and strengthen the traditional American values of God, family, freedom and country.
Spectators saw the giant balloon soaring 300 feet above the ground when another balloon passed over it too closely, tearing a small hole in its canopy.
Video of a hot air balloon slowly going down in Provo this morning near @uvrmc No word yet on injuries. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/VdJ8t1JNpS— Sam Penrod (@KSLsampenrod) July 2, 2015
In videos from the scene, the pilot can be seen steadily controlling the balloon's descent by firing its burners. The balloon then slowly crashes into trees and deflates as a crowd of onlookers rushes to the site of the accident.
"The pilot did a great job," Provo Fire Battalion Chief Kevin Paxton told The Salt Lake Tribune, adding that his efforts caused as small fire that was quickly extinguished.
The pilot suffered minor burns from burning pieces of the balloon's canopy and was treated at the scene. There were no major injuries.
Aaaaand sometimes you wake up to a sky littered with hot air balloons. I got into my car with my jaw hanging open, and the first song that came on was Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" #nobigdeal #magical #dontworryaboutathing #godcomfortsmeinlittleways #freedomfestival #provo A photo posted by Alexandra Walborn (@alexandthewords) on Jul 2, 2015 at 7:06am PDT
Provo Balloon Festival A photo posted by Kyle Radcliff (@kylezzzzzz) on Jul 2, 2015 at 7:07am PDT
Good morning balloon fest! A photo posted by Jen Morello (@jenmorello) on Jul 2, 2015 at 6:14am PDT