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US runaway balloon lands in field Hunt for US 'runaway balloon boy'
(about 1 hour later)
A helium balloon which was floating over the US state of Colorado with a six-year-old boy reportedly inside has landed, in a drama broadcast on TV. Police are searching for a six-year-old boy missing after he reportedly floated away in a helium balloon that later came down with no sign of him inside.
US media reports say the boy was not found on board. Police are now said to be searching for him on the ground. The drama was played out on TV, with US networks devoting their airtime to live footage of the balloon over Colorado.
The mushroom-shaped silver balloon, apparently made by the boy's father, reportedly reached heights of 7,000ft. An hour later the balloon came down in dirt fields, surrounded by rescue vehicles but with no trace of the boy.
The balloon was floating about 40 miles north of Denver before it came down, surrounded by rescue vehicles. It remains unclear whether he was in the balloon and fell out or never boarded the mushroom-shaped aircraft.
Earlier, Larimer County sheriff's office spokeswoman Cathy Davis told reporters the balloon was owned by the boy's parents and had been tethered in the back garden of their home. Access door
The silver balloon, apparently made by the boy's father, reportedly reached heights of 7,000ft (2km).
The balloon was floating about 40 miles north of Denver before it came down.
Emergency vehicles surrounded the aircraft as it landedEmergency vehicles surrounded the aircraft as it landed
She said their two sons were playing outside when the older boy saw the younger one climb in and the balloon fly away. Earlier, Larimer County sheriff's office spokeswoman Cathy Davis told reporters the balloon was owned by the boy's parents and had been tethered in the back garden of their home.
Media reports said the boy had been named by local police as Falcon Heene. His father, Richard Heene, apparently used the balloon to track the weather. She said two of their sons were playing outside when the older boy saw the younger one climb in and the balloon fly away.
The boy has been named by local police as Falcon Heene. His father, Richard Heene, apparently used the balloon to track the weather.
The police are said to be searching on the ground, including the neighbourhood where the family lives.The police are said to be searching on the ground, including the neighbourhood where the family lives.
Live footage of the balloon, which was being tracked by media helicopters, showed it soaring high above the ground.Live footage of the balloon, which was being tracked by media helicopters, showed it soaring high above the ground.
The child was believed to have climbed in through an access door.The child was believed to have climbed in through an access door.