Missing balloonist found - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Body of missing balloonist found

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The approximate location of the crash The approximate location of the crash
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 The Sheriff of Ben Hill County confirms the body of a missing hot-air balloon pilot has been found. 

The damaged balloon was spotted from around noon.

Sixty-three year old  Edward Ristaino's body was found shortly afterward.

A fast-developing thunderstorm sucked in his balloon while he was ferrying skydivers on Friday, then sent the craft plummeting toward the ground. The skydivers parachuted to safety.

They credit Ristaino with finding them a field to safely jump into then telling them to get out of the balloon.

The uninhabited land is owned by a timber company, and leased to a hunting club.

 

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