ALBUQUERQUE, NM. (THECOUNT) – Susan and John Montoya, Martin and Mary Martinez, and hot air balloon pilot, Nicholas Meleski, have been identified as the five victims killed in a hot air balloon crash in Albuquerque, New Mexico Saturday morning.
Pilot Meleski is known for his “Izia” balloon, seen every October at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Meleski received his ballooning license in 1994.
Police say that the balloon descended toward the ground and struck an overhead powerline and that’s when the basket detached from the envelope and burst into flames.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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