Errant Balloon Lands, But Boy Missing

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 15, 2009 2:41 PM CDT
Errant Balloon Lands, But Boy Missing
An image rendered from video and released by KMGH-TV in Denver.   (AP Photo/KMGH-TV)

A 6-year-old boy is missing after he supposedly floated away in his father's homemade balloon over the skies of Denver. The craft came down about 3:30pm, after two hours in the air, but the youngster wasn't inside. His fate remains unclear, and it's possible that he fell out during its flight or before it lifted off—or that he never got in the craft in the first place. Police are conducting a neighborhood search.

The boy's father is identified as Richard Heene, an amateur scientist and self-described storm chaser, notes the Denver Post. He built the craft out of plywood and string in the shape of a flying saucer. The boy's sibling reportedly told authorities that he saw his younger brother, Falcon, climb into the craft while it was tethered in the family's backyard.
(More balloon stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X