Overview
- On Feb. 28 in Longview, Texas, a hot air balloon struck a communications tower nearly 1,000 feet high, and drone video captured the rescue.
- Lt. Stephen Winchell and firefighter Cliff Patrick said crews climbed for more than an hour to reach the basket and secure it.
- Rescuers contended with steady winds of 10–20 mph and gusts up to 24 mph as the basket hung precariously on the structure.
- The team fixed lines, then had both passengers climb out at over 900 feet before lowering them safely; both were taken to a hospital as a precaution.
- WESH reported the climbers started less than 40 minutes after the initial call and that 35 firefighters used multiple rope systems during the response.