The identities of the victims in a tragic hot air balloon crash in Arizona over the weekend have been released by the Eloy Police Department. The balloon, carrying 13 adults including the pilot, four passengers, and eight skydivers, crashed into an empty field in a desert area located 65 miles southeast of Phoenix.
You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage
During a press conference on Monday, Eloy Mayor Micah Powell reported that three passengers and the pilot were among those killed in the crash. The skydivers were able to exit the balloon safely before the catastrophic incident occurred.
The pilot of the hot air balloon was identified as Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, a resident of Eloy originally from South Africa. The three passengers who lost their lives were Chayton Wiescholek, 28, from Union City, Michigan; Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, from Andrews, Indiana; and Atahan Kiliccote, 24, from Cupertino, California. Valerie Stutterheima, 23, from Scottsdale, Arizona, was critically injured in the crash.
The impact of the crash took place in what is known as “the world’s largest drop zone” for skydivers, according to Mayor Powell. The Eloy Police Department is currently collaborating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the investigation of this incident.
Eyewitnesses reported that in the final seconds before the impact, the hot air balloon was descending in a straight vertical manner. The material of the balloon was seen to be straight up and down, resulting in a significant impact.
You may also like to watch: Is US-NATO Prepared For A Potential Nuclear War With Russia - China And North Korea?
The cause of the crash is still unknown at this time. Investigators from the NTSB have arrived at the scene to document and examine the hot air balloon. The balloon will be moved to a secure facility for further investigation.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. We also send our thoughts to Ms. Stutterheim as she receives medical care. As the investigation continues, we hope to gain more insight into what led to this devastating accident.
To stay updated on this story, download the FOX NEWS APP.
The crash occurred on Sunday, January 14, just before 8 a.m. The NTSB will continue their investigation to determine the cause of this heartbreaking incident..
