What started as a peaceful hot-air balloon ride turned into a heart-stopping ordeal last Saturday when the aircraft struck a tall communications tower and got stuck high above north Gregg County. The basket came to rest near the top of the structure, roughly 920 to 925 feet off the ground, while fire and rescue crews from Longview and nearby districts launched a technical rope-based operation. Both riders were eventually brought safely down and taken to a hospital for evaluation, with officials reporting no life-threatening injuries. The stranded balloon drew a watchful crowd and a sizable multi-agency response near State Highway 300 and FM 1844.
First responders from Longview and surrounding agencies were dispatched around 8:15 a.m., and climbing operations began shortly before 9 a.m. Rescuers reached the balloon riders at about 10 a.m., according to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. The outlet reports the effort was classified as a high-angle rescue because of the extreme height involved, and medical crews transported the two people from the scene for precautionary checks. Drivers were urged to steer clear of the area while rope teams worked to keep both the rescuers and the public safe.
High-angle rescue and removal plans
Climbing teams deployed multiple rope systems to reach the balloon basket, secure the passengers and guide them back down, a process that stretched over several hours, KLTV reports. Longview Special Operations member Stephen Winchell told KLTV that crews regularly train for complex rope rescues but, in his words, "we just didn’t expect both of those scenarios to get combined today." Longview Fire Marshal Marcus Delaney later explained that the fire department would not be responsible for removing the balloon itself from the tower. Instead, a specialized crew was brought in to begin taking down the envelope and basket.
Video and local reaction
News outlets and bystanders captured striking video of the balloon pinned to the tower, with Click2Houston sharing footage that shows the basket wrapped around the structure. Local officials repeatedly asked motorists and curious onlookers to keep their distance as the rescue unfolded, a warning echoed by East Mountain Police and passed along to media at the scene. Upshur County Constable Tim Barnett praised the coordinated response, describing the Longview teams' performance as nothing short of extraordinary, according to FOX4.
Why balloons get into trouble
Hot-air balloons can climb or descend by adjusting the heat inside the envelope, but they have limited steering ability and largely ride with the wind. That is why pilots typically favor calm, early-morning conditions and plan routes to avoid obstacles; gusts or shifting wind layers can nudge a balloon into buildings or towers, according to guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration. When forecasts call for strong or gusty winds, operators and event organizers generally keep balloons grounded, since small changes aloft can turn into big problems at altitude. While such accidents remain rare, aviation experts say incidents like this highlight the importance of careful planning around weather and terrain.
County officials and the tower's owners coordinated efforts to remove the balloon and basket, and authorities said cleanup work and follow-up inspections could continue into next week. The names of the two occupants have not been released, and the incident is still under investigation by local agencies.
