Story Published:
Aug 17, 2008 at 7:09 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Aug 18, 2008 at 6:02 PM CDT
One man died and another was taken to a hospital in Springfield after a hot air balloon accident early Sunday. Investigators say the hot air balloon exploded over south central Missouri.
Bill Blair, 49, of Mountain Grove died in the accident on Sunday.
Troopers say leaking propane tanks caused an explosion that quickly engulfed the balloon in flames. Investigators say Blair jumped out of the balloon, which was between 30 and 75 feet in the air, but he likely died after hitting the ground.
The victim's wife saw the whole thing happen.
"Apparently she went out and seen the balloon in the air and then started going side to side and it went out of sight," Gary Adamson, the victim's father-in-law said.
Another person was burned in the accident. Investigators say that man was trying to pull Blair out of the pile of burning propane tanks when two more tanks exploded.
He was taken to a hospital in Springfield for treatment. The single-person balloon had been tethered to a truck.
