In a shocking incident, two pilots were injured when their gas balloon crashed into power lines in North Texas. The pilot, Krzystotf Zapart, revealed that they were being shot at and had to make an emergency landing. Zapart, along with his co-pilot Pjotr Halas, were competing for the Polish national team in the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race. The hydrogen-filled balloon burst into flames upon impact with the power lines, but the pilots were fortunately rescued by brave individuals.
According to Zapart, they heard multiple shots being fired at them. He described the terrifying experience, saying, “We heard more and more automatic guns. It was not one shot. It was, ‘Do, do, do, do, do, do!’” Israel Alfaro, an English teacher from Dallas who assisted with the rescue, explained the challenging situation they faced. “You looked in the basket and could barely see because of the flames and the smoke,” he said. “The gentleman in the basket couldn’t help us with his weight because his legs were broken. When we pulled him out, we had to drag him through some of the fire.”
Zapart sustained cuts, burns, and a ribcage injury, while Halas suffered more serious burns and a broken bone. Halas’s condition has been upgraded from critical to serious, as reported by a hospital spokesperson. Alfaro expressed relief upon visiting Halas in the hospital, stating, “It was relieving being able to see him in much better condition than the night of the accident. We thank God we were able to help him out. And there at the right time.”
Zapart also shared his concerns about being mistaken for a Chinese spy balloon. He emphasized the misconception among many in the West and called it a significant problem. The pilots were actively searching for a suitable landing spot but were unable to avoid the power lines, leading to the crash. The Crandall Police Department stated that they had not received any reports of shots fired at the balloon, but further investigation is underway by the NTSB.
The race spokesperson expressed hope for the quick recovery of both pilots, highlighting their extensive experience in gas ballooning. The NTSB will be conducting a thorough investigation into the crash. This incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in such competitions and the bravery of those who come to the aid of others in times of crisis.
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