Sheriff Danny Hickman describes an unusual call responded to by Deputies over the weekend.  A hot air balloon went down in the Gaither Community off Highway 206 and upon the deputies responding to the call; they found that Krooked Creek Volunteer Fire Dept. First Responders and NARMC-EMS had treated a female passenger on the balloon, Jerry Lively, at the scene.  Air Evac was dispatched and transported the injured Lively to St. Johns in Springfield, MO. The male, Mike Mills, operator of the hot air balloon did not seek any medical attention.

The FAA was contacted and is currently working with BCSO in the investigation of this accident. According to the FAA and the operator of the hot air balloon this incident was ruled a “hard landing”.  At the time of this release the investigation was ongoing.