'There are no survivors' Horror as hot air balloon crash leaves 16 dead
16 PEOPLE have been killed in a hot air balloon crash near Austin, Texas in one of the deadliest balloon accidents on record.
16 people, including pilot Skip Nichol, have died in a hot air balloon crash in Texas
The balloon caught fire before hitting the ground near Lockhart, south of the city of Austin.
Lynn Lunsford with the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement the accident happened at around 7:40 am local time when the hot air balloon crashed into a field.
At least 16 people were on board the balloon when it came down and officials say there are no survivors.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the hot air balloon ignite into a fireball before hitting overhead power lines and crashing to the ground.
First I heard a whooshing sound and then a big ball of fire flared up
Eyewitness Margaret Wylie, 66, said: "First I heard a whooshing sound and then a fireball went up.
“I thought it was a tractor, I had no idea it was a hot air balloon.
"I don't ever want to see something like that again.”
Sheriff Daniel Law said emergency services were called following reports of an accident and fire in Jolly Road.
Neighbour sees flames of hot air balloon crash near Lockhart
In a statement the Sheriff’s Office said: “When the emergency responders and Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene it was apparent that the reported fire was the basket portion of a hot air balloon.
“The balloon was occupied and it does not appear that this time that there were any survivors of the crash.
“Investigators are determining the number and the identities of victims at this time.”
It's believed the hot air balloon ride took off around 20 minutes before the crash.
Skip Nichols (centre) posted this photo of a flight over Houston days before the crash
Prayers and condolences have poured in for the victims online
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) official said there has been a “significant loss of life” as the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed 16 people had died on board.
Skip Nichols has been named by local media as the tragic pilot killed in the disaster.
He was chief pilot at the Heart of Texas Balloon Rides company involved in the crash.
Days before the crash Mr Nichols posted photos of a hot air balloon ride over Houston.
Texas balloon crash- Aerial footage shows aftermath
Police have cordoned off the area where a number of power lines are down and more than a dozen police cars remain at the scene.
Debris can be seen beneath high-voltage power lines.
A video has appeared online claiming to be of the crash site showing thick plumes of black smoke in the air as emergency services rush to the hot air balloon.
Sirens can be heard and fire engines are seen travelling towards the fire.
Part of the balloon appears to be caught on power lines in the unconfirmed video.
The hot air balloon crashed into a field near Lockhart, Texas
Investigators, including the FBI, are gathering evidence at the scene
Eyewitnesses said the hot air balloon blew up into a fireball
The NTSB will lead the investigation and the FBI have also been called in to help gather evidence.
An offical from the NTSB offered no details on what may have caused the crash, which occurred on a clear day.
The crash of the balloon is the deadliest on record in the Western Hemisphere, said Jeff Chatterton, a spokesman for the Balloon Federation of North America.
He said: "There are thousands of balloons that go up every year.
"This is unspeakably tragic but it is rather unique."
The balloon came down near Lockhart, Texas
More than 150 commercial hot air balloon companies are in operation in North America.
Condolences and prayers have poured in for the crash victims.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott offered his condolences to those killed in the crash.
May God's restorative strength & grace be with the families affected by the tragic hot air balloon crash. #txlege https://t.co/1d2oPDVtj8
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 30, 2016
Praying for the lives lost in the tragic balloon accident near Lockhart. My condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) July 30, 2016
So sad to learn of hot air balloon crash outside Lockhart. Prayers for comfort and peace for the families of those involved. #GodBlessTexans
— Amy M Clark (@AmyMClarkTX) July 30, 2016
Very sad to hear about Lockhart. Such a great town with great people is now filled with this tragedy. Thoughts and prayers go out to them.
— Austin Capps (@CappsMedia) July 30, 2016
If what I've been reading is correct the dreadful hot air balloon crash near Lockhart in Central Texas will rank among the worst in history.
— Kevin Thiele (@KevinBThiele) July 30, 2016
#Lockhart ������ Sending love
— Rebecca C (@texbecca3) July 30, 2016
He said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, as well as the Lockhart community.
“The investigation into the cause of this tragic accident will continue, and I ask all of Texas to join us in praying for those lost.”
The crash come after 19 people, mostly Asian and European tourists, were killed in a hot air balloon crash in Luxor, Egypt after a gas explosion in mid-air in 2013.
A year before, a hot air balloon burst into flames and crashed in New Zealand, killing all 11 people on board in the country's worst air accident in more than three decades.
More to follow…