A woman tumbled from a hot air balloon after a hard landing July 17.
The Iowan was treated and released from the hospital after a short fall from a hot air balloon during the Balloons at the Park event.
The balloon, piloted by Al Reusch of Macomb, was taking part in the Illinois State Championship balloon race about 6 a.m. July 17 when it hit the ground harder than expected, causing Nannette Griffin to roll out of the basket and land on her back.
Griffin was transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center by ambulance, said Evie Reusch, wife of Al Reusch.
Griffin, who often flies with Al Reusch, spent a few hours at the hospital while she was evaluated for injuries. She was not admitted.
“It just hit the ground too hard,” Evie Reusch said Monday following the incident. “It’s obviously not something we want to happen, but we’re glad she’s all right.”
Chillicothe’s Rescue 33 was hosting a fundraising breakfast at the park that morning, so medics were only seconds away.
The balloon race contest had balloonists attempting to complete various tasks such as landing the closest to a target, which is what Reusch reportedly was doing at the time of the accident.
