- Katie Bartrom is originally from Indiana and was named by her family
- The 28-year-old was one of four people killed in the accident and a fifth person was seriously injured
- The balloon crashed to the ground in a desert about five miles from the town of Eloy
A 28-year-old registered nurse from Indiana has been identified as one of four people who died in a hot air balloon crash in the Arizona desert.
Speaking to ABC15, Katie Bartrom's family said she died in the Sunday morning accident that left four people dead and one seriously injured.
Bartrom's mother told the outlet that the young woman, who was from Indiana, loved skydiving and adventure.
According to police, the plane crashed into the desert around 7:50 a.m. about five miles north of the town of Eloy.
According to Eloy Mayor Micah Powell, there were thirteen people – eight skydivers, four passengers and a pilot – in the balloon.
Katie Bartrom, 28, has been identified as one of four people who died when a hot air balloon crashed in the Arizona desert Sunday morning
According to Eloy Mayor Micah Powell, there were thirteen people in the balloon – eight parachutists, four passengers and a pilot
The parachutists jumped from the plane before the incident, leaving five people on board.
“What we know at this point is that the skydivers were able to exit the balloon without incident and completed their planned skydiving event. Shortly thereafter, something catastrophic happened to the balloon, causing it to crash to the ground,” Eloy Police Chief Byron Gwaltney told reporters.
Gwaltney said the balloon came from outside Eloy and the skydivers planned to land at Eloy Municipal Airport, just down the road from the accident site.
“The incident apparently happened very quickly,” he added, calling it “an absolute tragedy” for the community.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene while the other three died at a hospital. Another passenger remains in critical condition at a trauma center in Phoenix.
“Out of respect for their privacy, the victims’ names are being withheld at this time until next of kin are notified,” Eloy police said in a news release.
Officials have not yet released any information about the deceased, other than to say they are all adults and not all are from Arizona.
Bartrom's mother described the trained nurse as someone who loved “skydiving and adventure.”
The plane crashed to the ground about five miles north of the town of Eloy in Pinal County. Bartrom was among the four dead, and another person suffered serious injuries
FOX 10 Phoenix flyover video shows the balloon crumpled in the dirt near the intersection of Sunshine Boulevard and Hanna Road.
Trucks arrived on site to tow the gondola and lift it onto a trailer using a crane.
Investigators could be seen walking over the front of the tattered balloon and folding it up before carrying it away.
Federal authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, continue to investigate the incident.
An NTSB spokesman said preliminary information showed the balloon crashed due to an “unspecified issue” with its envelope.