Hunt for clues after at least 16 die in America’s worst ballooning tragedy

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 would 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.”

Wendy Bartch, a former girlfriend of Nichols, told the Austin American-Statesman that Mr Nichols was “a good pilot and loved people”, was cautious about keeping passengers safe and had been involved with hot air balloons for about two decades.

Mr Nichols’ Facebook page identifies himself as the chief pilot of Heart of Texas.