It all started before noon Thursday October 15, 2009. A six year old boy named Falcon Heene climbed into a family made experimental helium balloon while playing in the yard with his brother . Then... it lifted and took flight. Reasons why are unclear. The family states the six year old detached a rope holding it in place.
By noon, Local TV stations with helicopters then assisted in the search. Local residents could see the balloon in the sky and took photographs.
Shortly after noon authorities were in pursuit. Moving at an approximate rate of 20 to 25 miles per hour the craft was built to sustain a flight time of 3 hours. It was spotted two miles south and an Air National Guard helicopter was launched to search and rescue the boy. The small balloon craft was picked up on radar and the FAA cleared airspace for his protection.
By 1pm the craft was spotted in the air by the nearby town of Hudson. Flights were now being rerouted.
When the balloon landed six miles away in the suburbs of Fort Collins in Denver Colorado there was no sign of the six year old.
A massive search took place in the afternoon and the worst was being imagined by all, could the boy have opened the compartment and fallen to his death? After all a six year old boy could easily panic during such a harrowing flight.
TV coverage was picked up for national coverage with news choppers following the balloon on its final descent.
Then as quickly as it all started... It was over. With a happy ending too. The boy was found hiding in the attic in a box. He obviously was afraid for his mistake. Considering the panic his parents must have felt, I'm certain they forgave him in a heartbeat. Somethings are just too precious in life, one is the life of your child.
The balloon itself was never meant to transport a person. The boys father is a known storm chaser with some local interviews in his resume along with an appearance on wife swap.
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