WATCH ABOVE: A terrible accident at the International Hot Air Balloon Festival has left one man dead and a family asking how this could have happened to an experienced pilot. Global’s Rachel Lau reports.
SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU – A tragic accident occurred early Sunday morning at the International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
Quebec provincial police officers were called to the scene at around 7:30 a.m. after reports that a hot air balloon pilot had been seriously injured.
“For now, it’s looking like an incident but will it stay that way?” said Audrey-Anne Bilodeau, a spokesperson for the Surete du Quebec (SQ).
“Actually, we hope so but that’s what we’re going to find out with the investigation.”
The victim, in his late 20’s, was identified as Maxime Trepanier, an experienced hot air balloon pilot.
He was rushed to hospital with critical injuries, but was later pronounced dead.
“His family all, actually was very implicated in the Festival, so unfortunately, they may have been there when their child was killed,” said Bilodeau.
Festival organizers believe that the accident may have occurred when Trepanier was landing his balloon.
Bilodeau noted Sunday that the SQ was still in the early stages of its investigation.
“There are a few investigators that are still down there on the scene trying to find out actually what happened,” she said.
“Other investigators are meeting some possible witnesses.”
According to organizers, Trepanier and his family were long time friends of the festival and he had been coming to the International Hot Air Balloon Festival since he was a small child.
Out of respect to the family, all hot air balloons remained grounded for the rest of the weekend.
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