Probe under way after worst hot air balloon disaster in US history Sixteen killed as balloon crashes in flames

Sixteen people have died after a hot air balloon crashed in flames in central Texas in the worst such disaster in US history.

Authorities said identifying the victims will be “a long process” after the incident near Lockhart, around 30 miles south of Austin.

Although the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) did not identify the company operating the balloon or its pilot, the flight is believed to have been run by Heart of Texas Hot Air Balloon Rides, while the pilot was named in reports as Skip Nichols, 49.

The balloon fell in pasture land close to a row of high-tension power lines.

Aerial photos showed an area of scorched land underneath, while one witness described seeing a “fireball” near the lines.

There are not thought to have been any children involved in the tragedy.

Alan Lirette, a colleague of the man named as the balloon’s pilot, said: “That’s the only thing I want to talk about, is that he’s a great pilot.

“There’s going to be all kinds of reports out in the press and I want a positive image there, too.”

Mr Nichols’ Facebook page identifies himself as the chief pilot of Heart of Texas. NTSB investigators will look at “three things – human, machine and environment,” said board member Robert Sumwalt.

Margaret Wylie, who lives about a quarter of a mile from the crash site, described hearing a popping sound.

“I looked around and it was like a fireball going up,” she said.

State troopers and the local sheriff arrive at the crash scene, top.