Police: Gordon Bennett Cup balloon crashes in Texas

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A balloon racing in this year’s Gordon Bennett Cup, which began in Albuquerque, crashed into power lines in Texas.

Around 7:25 p.m. Monday, the Tracking Leader Board showed the balloon stopped moving near Crandall, Texas, just southeast of Dallas.

Police then responded to a balloon crash there. Witnesses say the balloon was leaking some kind of liquid and there was an explosion when it hit those power lines. 

Balloon Fiesta officials confirmed the balloon belonged to Poland Team 1. The two pilots, Krzystolf Zapart and Pjotr Halas, were taken to a hospital in Dallas.

Zapart sustained cuts and burns to his legs while Halas sustained burns and broken bones in his legs and midsection.

“Both are experienced gas balloon pilots who have logged significant time in gas balloons. Our thoughts are with the gentlemen, their families and friends for a full and complete recovery,” Balloon Fiesta officials said in a statement issued Tuesday morning.

Officials said the pilots were flying at around 12,000 feet over the Dallas-Fort Worth aerospace, then began their descent shortly thereafter.

Poland Team 1 and 16 others took off from Balloon Fiesta Park on Saturday evening. 

Stay with KOB 4 Eyewitness News and KOB.com for updates.