Hot-air balloon narrowly avoids tragedy on the 401

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KITCHENER, Ont. — Eight hot air balloon passengers can probably still feel their hearts racing after almost landing on Hwy. 401 near here when their ride ran out of fuel.

Truckers began blowing their horns when the CKCO-TV balloon was hovering just 15 metres above the busy highway.

Eastbound traffic came to a halt to allow the balloon free space to cross, a group of trees weren’t as accommodating and the tour group scarcely managed to float by unscathed before landing about a
kilometre east of Roseville Road.

The balloon was initially spotted by a Cambridge OPP officer who was patrolling the area. The incident is being investigated by Cambridge OPP and Transport Canada.

Barry McGonigle, owner of the operating company Sundance Balloons, tells local media he won’t comment on the incident because of the investigation steaming from the events of May 6.

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