June 28 (UPI) -- Authorities in New Mexico have identified all five victims of a hot air balloon crash that occurred over the weekend, officials said.
The hot air balloon crashed Saturday in Albuquerque. Four died at the scene and the fifth died of his injuries at a hospital.
The New Mexico Police Department identified the victims in a statement Sunday and said all were Albuquerque residents -- pilot Nicholas Meleski, 62, passengers Mary Martinez, 59, Martin Martinez, 62, and Susan Montoya, 65, and John Montoya, 61, at the hospital.
"The initial investigation indicates the balloon descended toward the ground and struck an overhead power line," the police department said. "The basket became engulfed in flames."
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All the victims were also connected to Albuquerque Public Schools, education officials said in a statement Sunday.
"For Albuquerque Public Schools, this loss is unprecedented," APS Superintendent Scott Elder said. "Never before have we experienced the loss of so many in one incident."
School officials said Meleski was the father of school and crisis counselor Christee McIntire, Martin Martinez was a sergeant with the APS Police Department, John Montoya was an educational assistant for special education and husband to Susan Montoya, an assistant principal at Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary School.
Officials said Susan Montoya was moving schools and had always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon, and received one as a farewell gift.
"It was their way of showing Susan how much they loved and appreciated her," the school district said.
"One of the members of our team was impacted by this tragedy, so we put our hearts out and our prayers out to all who this has impacted," said Kristine Meurer, the executive director of Student, Family and Community Supports Division.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.
