LOCKHART, Texas – Sixteen people died Saturday in a fatal hot air balloon crash in Lockhart, Texas near San Marcos.
The balloon traveled 8 miles before hitting a power line and crashing. Several passengers on the balloon were from San Antonio.
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Victims:
Matt and Sunday Rowan – The couple were newlyweds; married less than six months. According to Matt’s Facebook page, he had recently started work for the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research. Sunday bought Matt the balloon trip as a present for his birthday. Sunday leaves behind a 5-year-old son.
Paige and Lorilee Brabson – Lorilee Brabson and her daughter, Paige, were natives of Colorado Springs. Paige had given her mother a balloon ride for Mother’s Day, according to Lorilee’s brother, Jason. Paige worked as a waitress at La Hacienda de los Barrios, in San Antonio. “Never a dull moment, always laughing. Always getting into something,” Selena Gardea, a fellow La Hacienda waitress, said. Paige leaves behind an 11-month-old daughter.
Brian and Tressie Neill – The Neills were married for 23 years and leave behind two daughters, Shelby, 20 and Sarah, 16. Brian sent his brother, Curtis, a text message with a picture from the balloon before the crash. The message read, “Can you see our reflection from the clouds?” Brian had given Tressie the balloon trip as an anniversary present. Tressie spent nearly a quarter century working at CPS Energy. The company had grief counselors Monday for folks mourning her loss.
Other victims of the balloon crash:
Alfred “Skip” Nichols, pilot of the hot air balloon.
Joe and Tresa Shafer Owens, of Katy, Texas.
John and Stacee Gore, of Mineral Wells, Texas.