Hot Air Balloon Proposal Goes Quite Awry

Balloon ends up in the ocean
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 6, 2014 11:18 AM CDT
Hot Air Balloon Proposal Goes Quite Awry
A hot air balloon floats over farm fields south of Washington, Ill., as the sun slips behind clouds on the autumn afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014.   (AP Photo/Peoria Journal Star, Ron Johnson)

A romantic ride in a hot air balloon turned into a rescue operation, with lifeguards and surfers saving three people after the basket dipped into the ocean off a Southern California beach. A man was proposing to his girlfriend during their sunset ride yesterday when the balloon drifted off course and hovered over the water near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, KNSD-TV reported. A crowd of people watched as the balloon drifted toward the beach in northern San Diego County and skimmed the water.

Eric Barretto said he and his fiancee threw a rope to the water below and several surfers pulled the balloon back to shore. "It's unforgettable. That's all I can say," Barretto told the station. "I don't know if we'll do it again." The pilot stayed with the balloon and kept it inflated while it was tugged onto the beach. The balloon basket landed in the surf and took in several waves, said a local marine safety official. Nobody was injured. (More strange stuff stories.)

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