Vermont balloonist Brian Boland dies in fall



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A hot air balloon veteran has died after becoming entangled under his basket and falling from a great height.

Brain Boland, 72, of Post Mills, Vermont, landed in a field and was pronounced dead at the scene Thursday, according to Vermont state police.

During one flight, police said, the balloon began to descend, briefly touching the ground as one of the four passengers fell.

“During this streak, the pilot became entangled in the equipment attached to the balloon during its ascent and found himself trapped under the basket, where he ultimately fell,” police said.

The balloon traveled another 1.5 miles before it got stuck in a tree. The other three passengers allowed us to get off safely.

Post Mills Airport owner Brian Boland looks skyward at Post Mills Airport, Vermont on June 4, 2010.
Boland got tangled in the basket after the ball fell.
Geoff Hansen / The Valley News via AP
Investigators, including those from the Federal Aviation Administration, gather along the Connecticut River and Highway 25 in Bradford, Vermont.
Investigators, including those from the Federal Aviation Administration, gather along the Connecticut River and Highway 25 in Bradford, Vermont.
Geoff Hansen / The Valley News via AP

The balloon began its lethal descent when Boland changed fuel tanks, according to a report.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the accident.

“I still can’t believe it,” a neighbor told Valley News. “Brian was an integral part of our neighborhood.

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