A hot air balloon being filled to give tethered rides above Williams Saturday was sent aloft by a micro burst of wind that caused a mini tornado. The balloon was dragged across the parking lot near the Rodeo Steakhouse on Grand Canyon Blvd. that was hosting a craft fair and the balloon rides.
The wayward balloon that was only partially filled with air, struck cars, people, and easy ups on its way towards Rodeo Road where it landed and blocked the street.
Williams Firefighters Cameron Maebe and his son Jace were in the area and were the first to arrive at the downed balloon. They quickly assessed the balloon for leaking propane from the 3 large tanks inside the basket and determined there were no leaks. With the help of passers by, they removed the balloon from the roadway, folded it up, and placed large rocks on it to prevent another fly away.
Williams PD and Fire responded to the parking lot at the Rodeo Restaurant and began locating injured victims. One woman had been holding a rope attached to the balloon and received an injury to her arm as the balloon went airborne. She was transported to Flagstaff Memorial Hospital by ambulance, as were a little girl and another adult with non life threatening injuries.
