16 Dead In Texas Hot Air Balloon Crash
Tragedy struck Saturday morning in Texas, where officials say 16 passengers died in a hot air balloon crash.
The crash occurred before 8 a.m. near Lockhart, where Federal Aviation Administration officials said the hot air balloon went down in a pasture.
Authorities said the balloon likely struck high voltage power lines that cut through the pasture.
911 callers first believed a vehicle had crashed.
Watch: 'Zombie Walk' Returns to Comic-Con 2 Years after Hit-and-Run Crash
However, when first responders arrived at the scene, they found the basket portion of a hot air balloon on fire, according to the AP.
The medical examination, Tx Parks and Wildlife and Texsar have all arrived at the scene. @KXAN_News pic.twitter.com/foDHsQ7Qn1
— Lauren Lanmon (@LaurenLanmon) July 30, 2016
Initial reports were unclear as to the number of victims. Around midday Eastern time, the National Transportation and Safety Board confirmed 16 were dead to KXAN.
Watch: 15 Heroic Men Flip Overturned Convertible Saving Trapped Man After Crash
Saturday's tragedy is unusual in ballooning. In the decade between 2002-2012, NTSB data shows the 16 is the total number of people died in hot air balloon accidents in the U.S.
The FAA and NTSB were both headed to the scene, when names of the deceased had not yet been released.
Lockhart is about a 30 mile dive south from Austin.
Watch: Metal Pole Crashes Through Car Narrowly Missing 4-Year-Old Girl In Car Seat
