Katie Bartrom, 28, of Fort Wayne, IN, one of the four fatalities from a hot air balloon crash in Eloy, Arizona, on Jan. 14, 2024.Photo:Facebook
Four people died and one person was in critical condition after ahot air balloon crashover the weekend in Eloy, Arizona, authorities said.
“That’s when something catastrophic happened and the balloon crashed to the ground,” police said, per Fox affiliateKSAZ.
According to ABC affiliateKNXV, witnesses said that the balloon went up and down prior to making impact.
Police have identified the four victims who died as Chayton Wiescholek, 28, of Union City, Michigan; Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Andrews, Indiana; Atahan Kiliccote, 24, of Cupertino, California; and the pilot, Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, of Eloy, Arizona.
As of Monday, Valerie Stutterheim, 23, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was listed as being in critical condition, police said.
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The Eloy Police Department said that it is working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in investigating the crash.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives in this tragic incident,” police wrote. “And our thoughts are with Ms. Stutterheim as she receives medical care.”
Kaitlynn Bartrom’s mom spoke to KNXV about her daughter, a registered nurse with Lutheran Health Network.
“It’s kind of somber here at home. We’re crying about her on and off and talking about her on and off still trying to make it real,” Jennifer Hubartt told the outlet. “She was a beautiful person, she recently became an RN and was making it on her own.”
“We were tremendously saddened to learn of Kaitlynn “Katie” Bartrom’s tragic passing,” Lohse wrote. “A condolence tree will be placed in the Lutheran Hospital cafeteria for employees to write their thoughts about Katie, leave them at the tree, and then be given to the family in her memory.”
A fund has been sent up for Bartrom’s family to cover funeral and medical expenses. Those interested in donating can do sohere.
source: people.com
