Drone Video Captures East Texas Hot Air Balloon Rescue at 1,100 Feet

Longview firefighters saved two passengers after a balloon struck a radio tower

Saturday morning brought a heroic rescue in Longview, Texas, of two hot air balloonists who struck the tower for 105.7 KYKX(FM).

Longview Fire Department members responded to the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1844 and Texas Route 300 in northern Gregg County after receiving reports of a hot air balloon striking the tower. The balloon was left suspended in place.

The department provided us with amazing drone footage.

There was one male and one female inside the balloon’s basket. A preliminary FAA briefing stated that the hot air balloon became entangled in a guy wire.

The 1100-foot tower is home to Connoisseur Media’s 100 kW ERP country-formatted 105.7 KYKX, as well as translators 99.9 K260CE(FM), which relays the Bott Radio Network, and 103.7 K279CI(FM), which airs KYKX(HD2), a simulcast of KKUS(FM)’s “The Ranch” classic country format.

Based on the geography of East Texas and the height of the tower, it was likely the tallest rescue in the department’s history.

According to Marcus Delaney, Longview Fire Department fire marshal and its public information officer, 35 members from the fire department responded, and 14 firefighters climbed the tower to help make the rescue, which took approximately four hours to complete.

Strong winds on Saturday complicated efforts, but both the man and woman escaped safely. Delaney credited the teamwork and preparation of all of the first responders involved to ensure the rescue went safely. He also lauded the support of neighbouring agencies that assisted, including Longview Police, Judson Fire, East Mountain Fire, the Gregg and Upshur County Sheriff’s Offices and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

KYKX’s signal was off the air during the rescue, according to Delaney, along with the translators. He said that there was no harm to broadcast antennas or any other transmission equipment. KYKX was on the air normally as of this morning, Delaney said.

The tower is also used for cellular services and by public safety agencies.

According to the Tyler Morning Telegraph, the balloonists were taken to local hospitals as a precautionary measure.