A hot air balloon carrying 13 people, including eight skydivers, crashed in a remote location of Eloy, Arizona, on Sunday, January 14, 2024, resulting in a tragic occurrence. Four lives were lost, and one person suffered severe injuries as a result of this sad incident. Chayton Wiescholek (age 28), Kaitlynn Bartrom (age 28), Atahan Kiliccote (age 24), and pilot Cornelius Van Der Walt (age 37) were named as the victims.
Valerie Stutterheim (23) survived the crash but remains hospitalized. The tragedy occurred around 7:50 a.m. in Eloy, “the skydiving capital of the world.”
Chayton Wiescholek, one of the deceased, left a heart-wrenching message to his girlfriend, Kinsey Taylor, just before the crash. Taylor, who had already completed her skydive, received the text saying, “I love you, goodbye,” discovering it after landing, unaware of the unfolding tragedy.
Wiescholek had plans to marry Taylor, and upon landing, she frantically tried reaching him, only to be informed by someone else that she needed to be present immediately. Despite her efforts, officials prevented her from approaching the scene.
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash. Officials have indicated that the balloon encountered issues with its envelope, but no mechanical problems were initially found. The basket appeared intact during the initial examinations.
The incident has left the victims’ families shattered. Upon learning of the tragedy, Rhonda Wiescholek, Chayton’s mother, rushed to Arizona. She expressed staying until she can bring her son home, finding solace in knowing he was happy with Taylor.
A GoFundMe page set up by the Wiescholek family aims to honour Chayton’s memory as “the life of the party, the adventure seeker, and a solid voice of reason.” The family appreciates the support as they navigate through this difficult time.
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