Dodge County, WI — A hot air balloon accident left five people with injuries during a fundraiser event on Saturday, July 30, 2011. The hot air balloon accident occurred during a fundraising event for Green Valley Enterprises called Ham ‘n Jam at the Beaver Dam Conservation Club, located at W9554 Highway G, reported the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department reported that the balloon had just rested on the ground around 5:30 p.m., when the wind direction and speeds shifted, causing the balloon to roll across the ground.
Although the balloon was tethered to two trees and a pickup truck, the line from the truck snapped.
A 65-year-old Beaver Dam woman, who was the sole passenger inside the balloon, sustained minor injuries in the hot air balloon accident.
Four others, who were spectators at the event, sustained minor injuries and were taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital via Beaver Dam EMS for medical treatment. The injured included a 35-year-old Beaver Dam man, a 51-year-old rural Beaver Dam woman, a 52-year-old rural Beaver Dam man and an 18-year-old Beaver Dam woman.
The pilot of the hot air balloon, a 51-year-old Rhinelander man, was not injured in the accident.
The Federal Aviation Association Milwaukee Office has been notified of the hot air balloon accident and is expected to conduct a full investigation.
Sundog Ballooning donated the balloon for balloon rides at the fundraising event.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Wisconsin personal injury lawyer.
