Two passengers rescued after hot air balloon crash into Texas cell tower leaves them dangling 920 feet up

Two Passengers Saved After Hot Air Balloon Collides With Texas Cell Tower

A hot air balloon crash in Longview, Texas, on Saturday left two people suspended 920 feet above the ground after the craft collided with a cellphone tower. The incident occurred this morning, prompting a swift response from the local fire department.

The rescue, termed a “high angle operation” by authorities, involved over an hour of climbing to reach the stranded individuals. Firefighters began ascending the tower at 8:50 AM, utilizing multiple rope systems to navigate the challenging height and intricate setup.

“Climbing operations began around 8:50 AM using multiple rope systems due to the extreme height and complexity of the incident,” the Longview Fire Department shared on Facebook.

Rescuers successfully made contact with the two occupants by approximately 10 a.m. The department highlighted the operation as “highly technical and time-intensive,” noting it is still in progress. Both individuals remain alert and unharmed, according to preliminary reports.

Isabel Yip, a news associate for NBC News, reported the incident.