Butler County hot air balloon pilot Sean Askren said he had known Kirk for more than 15 years and was “devastated” to hear about his friend’s death.
“You hate to hear things like that about anybody getting hurt or anybody injured,” Askren said. “As a pilot he did everything he could to try to maintain control and get the balloon down safely and keep everybody safe. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”
Askren recalls a few “close calls” in his 30 years as a hot air balloon pilot.
“I was unfortunately in a power line strike in 1995, but everything was fine, just a couple of minor burns,” he said. “The power lines a lot of times are hidden in tree lines, and that’s what happened in this case in Virginia.”
The Virginia accident happened after several hot air balloons took off as part of a preview of the Mid-Atlantic Balloon Festival. Two balloons landed safely, but as Kirk’s balloon attempted to land, it struck a power line and burst into flames. University of Richmond’s associate head women’s basketball coach Ginny Doyle and Natalie Lewis, head of women’s basketball operations, were killed in the accident.
Fellow hot air balloon pilot Mark Frazer said safety begins before you leave the ground.
“Probably the most important aspect of ballooning is to try to understand weather conditions in which you’re going to be flying,” he said.
Frazer has piloted more than 500 hot air balloon flights, and said passengers play an important role in safety as well.
Askren and Frazer both said they will participate in The Ohio Challenge, which will take place July 11-13 at Smith Park and the Middletown Regional Airport.
In light of the recent tragedy, Askren predicts the three-day, family-friendly event will still draw tens of thousands of people to Middletown. There will be 38 hot air balloons from all over the country participating in the Great Lakes Regional Championships, according to Askren.
“The Ohio Challenge is a fabulous family oriented activity that’s been extremely well supported by the people of southwest Ohio. I expect to have a positive outcome this year,” Frazer said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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