LOCKHART, Texas — No one appeared to survive a hot air balloon crash in Central Texas, authorities said Saturday.
At least 16 people were on board the balloon, which Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said caught fire before crashing into a pasture shortly after 7:40 a.m. Saturday near Lockhart.
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that investigators are determining the number of victims and their identities.
The sheriff’s office said it was apparent that the fire was in the basket portion of the balloon.
Gov. Greg Abbott called the crash a “heartbreaking tragedy.”
“I ask all of Texas to join us in praying for those lost,” Abbott said in a statement.
The FAA is investigating, Lunsford said.
National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Eric Weiss said that his agency’s investigative team should arrive later Saturday. Weiss said the safety agency knows “very, very little right now” about what happened.
Lockhart is about 30 miles south of Austin.
