'Fly high angels': Prayers pour in as Arizona hot air balloon crash leaves 4 dead and 1 critically injured

ELOY, ARIZONA: A hot air balloon crash in Arizona left four people dead and one critically injured on Sunday, January 14. The incident occurred around 7.50 am, just after eight skydivers had jumped from the balloon.

It then crashed suddenly with four passengers and a pilot still aboard. What caused the crash remains unknown at this time.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are leading investigations into what factors could have contributed.

Early reports from witnesses suggest the balloon may have experienced some kind of catastrophic failure, resulting in a rapid descent, as per the New York Post.

Desert area surrounding Eloy has a high concentration of parachuting and skydiving activity

Eloy Mayor Micah Powell stated that the balloon seemed to be deflated as it was coming down. Further details will likely emerge once federal investigators determine the sequence of events.

The Eloy Police Department has confirmed four fatalities from the accident, with a fifth individual remaining in critical condition. The family of Katie Bartrom, 28, a registered nurse from Indiana, identified her as one of the deceased.

Bartrom's mother told the media that her daughter enjoyed adventure activities like skydiving.

Police have not formally released the names of the three other victims pending notification of their relatives. The desert area surrounding Eloy has a high concentration of parachuting and skydiving activity.

Two parachute manufacturing companies, Firebird USA and Sun Path Products, are based in Eloy. Moreover, the crash site is just five miles away from Skydive Arizona, the world's largest skydiving drop zone.

Internet mourns the people who lost their lives in tragic Arizona hot air balloon crash

Upon learning of the tragic hot air balloon crash in Eloy, Arizona, the Internet grieved for those affected by the crash.

One wrote, "So sad. Praying for the survivors. Fly high angels," while another noted, "Sad news. My condolences to the families." 

A person sighed, "What a bad luck for these people," and someone else simply added, "Sad news!"

An individual wrote, "Sad news from Arizona. Thoughts with the affected families." 

"Very tragic. Can’t imagine what went through their hearts. One of my biggest fears is riding in a hot air balloon. I never will. This is so sad and will keep these people in my prayers. This must have been so scary. May God rest their hearts. Very sorry for the loss of life," shared one person.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.