It's Happened Again
By Alice Henry
@IreneVincent (15962)
United States
August 3, 2016 7:36pm CST
On my Bucket List is, or maybe I should say WAS, a ride in a hot air balloon. I think I've finally changed my mind.
Sixteen people died when a hot air balloon hit power lines a couple days ago.
Why this could happen puzzles me. Why would they fly these balloons near power lines? Surely they should know better. These balloons are at the mercy of the wind for the most part, so shouldn't that be a primary precaution, to stay FAR away from power lines?
What do you think?
6 people like this
5 responses
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
4 Aug 16
@IreneVincent I seem to feel comfortable in a car. I was on a plane once and I got freaked out. So I have never flown again. I don't mind being on top of a tall building, but not near the edge. Lots of things are risky. Walking across the street could be risky. But some things just don't sit well with me.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Aug 16
Well, I understand that completely. I am NOT afraid of heights and I really only wanted to go for a VERY short ride, but I always felt that it would be risky.
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Aug 16
@inertia4 I will bet though that you drive a car or ride in a car from time to time, right? Well, that's one of the riskiest things a person can do.
Statistics show that a person's chance of being killed in a car crash exceeds ALL other accidents.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
4 Aug 16
those wind gusts hit purty hard't times 'n tryin' to prevent such close encounters ('n sadly those disasters) 'tis nearly impossible 'nless ones completely out'n open lands.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
4 Aug 16
@IreneVincent if'n ya do, ride one o'er the grand canyon - awesome sight 'n no power lines :)
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
5 Aug 16
@crazyhorseladycx Good idea No power lines there
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Aug 16
Hot air balloons are at the mercy of the wind, as I said, but it just seems like it would be FUN to ride in one. I probably never will but I put it on my bucket list. 
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Aug 16
I always HATE when something that shouldn't have happened happens. I know there are lots of balloon rides going on all over the place and they land safely, but ...sometimes they dont
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
4 Aug 16
@IreneVincent yes it scares me now
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Aug 16
@Hatley It is scary to think about it, but riding in a car is one of the most dangerous things a person can do and most of us don't think twice about jumping in the car and riding across town,
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Aug 16
Oh my, oh my! How could it happen? Probably the wind was too strong it blew them near the power lines.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Aug 16
@IreneVincent this is the first time i've heard of such accident actually.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Aug 16
It doesn't happen that often, but it does happen and most of the time, it's a failure on the part of the balloon operator unfortunately
@MissNikki (5237)
• Maple Ridge, British Columbia
4 Aug 16
I have heard news reports that the balloon operator may have been drunk. That would explain why. Hot air balloons would never normally be flown near power lines.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
4 Aug 16
But, a hot air balloon starts on the ground. Why would they choose an area with power lines nearby? I don't know all the details. Maybe it had to do with where it was coming down rather then where it went up and if the operator was drunk, that is just one more tragic mistake.
