BOULDER, Colo., June 9 (UPI) -- Investigators blamed erratic winds for a series of hot-air balloon crashes in which six people were injured near Boulder, Colo., this weekend.
Four balloon mishaps occurred Saturday in Boulder and Jefferson counties when strong northerly winds kicked up as a cold front moved into the area.
"We had some really wicked winds," said Jacki Kelley, spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
High school cross-country coach Devin Rourke told The Denver Post he was getting ready to set out with his team on a Saturday morning run in Arvada when he witnessed a balloon bounce along Colorado 93 for about 100 yards.
"They were probably going 20 or 30 mph, and they were real close to the ground," said Rourke. "At that time, the wind was definitely gusting."
No one was seriously injured but six passengers were treated for ankles, back and neck pain.
The Post noted park rangers ticketed one balloon pilot and a member of his ground crew for plowing up about 50 yards of protected grassland during a rough landing.
