Two passengers rescued after hot air balloon crash into Texas cell tower leaves them dangling 920 feet up

Two Passengers Safely Rescued Following Texas Hot Air Balloon Collision with Cell Tower

A hot air balloon crashed into a cell tower in Longview, Texas, on Saturday, leaving two individuals stranded 920 feet above the ground. The Longview Fire Department confirmed both occupants are in stable condition, with no injuries reported as of now, describing the operation as a ‘high angle rescue.’

Responding to the incident at 8:15 Saturday morning, the department noted the rescue took over an hour to complete. Firefighters initiated ascent operations approximately 8:50 AM, employing several rope systems to navigate the extreme altitude and intricate setup of the situation.

“Climbing operations began around 8:50 AM using multiple rope systems due to the extreme height and complexity of the incident,” the fire department posted on Facebook.

By around 10 a.m., the rescue team had established communication with the two individuals aboard the balloon. The department emphasized the operation remains a ‘highly technical and time-consuming endeavor,’ continuing as of the latest update.

Isabel Yip

News associate for NBC News