A hot air balloon pilot and his two passengers are currently at Chester Crozer Hospital after an accident that occurred on Aug. 15 in Earl Township.
At 7:50 p.m., New Holland Police responded to the 600 block of North Railroad Avenue, the location of the crash.
The pilot, Robert Fisher, 55, of Honey Brook and his two passengers, Robert Spencer, 53, of Eldersburg, Maryland and Melyndia Davis, 48, of Sykesville, Maryland were all transported to Lancaster General Hospital with severe injuries, and then transferred to Chester Crozer Hospital.
An initial investigation shows that the pilot was attempting to land the balloon in a hay field. As the basket touched the ground, the top of the balloon fell on power lines. The pilot and two passengers suffered injuries from electrocution. No one on the ground was injured.
Davis was in cardiac arrest upon the arrival of emergency responders. CPR was given by a bystander until emergency responders arrived. Spencer was unresponsive, and Fisher was conscious.
Fisher, the pilot, is currently listed in stable condition. Spencer is listed in stable condition, while Davis is listed in critical, but stable condition. All three victims suffered burn injuries from the electric shock.
The FAA will be conducting an investigation into the incident. Emergency services on scene included Garden Spot Fire Rescue, New Holland Ambulance, Ephrata Ambulance and Wellspan Ephrata Community Hospital Medic units.
