Hot-air pig balloon hits tree, catches fire at Utah festival

PROVO, Utah – A witness says a pig-shaped hot-air balloon crashed into a tree and caught fire at a balloon festival in Utah, cutting the pilot’s face.

Kevin Auernig was at the America’s Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo early Thursday when he saw the balloon coming down fast and land in a fenced construction zone. He says parts of the balloon got stuck on a tree and looked like strips of bacon.

Auernig says some people jumped the fence to try to help the pilot, who was bleeding from a cut over his eye and appeared shaken up.

He says first responders arrived to help the injured pilot. A Provo fire captain said crews are on standby at the event.

The festival website says balloons also plan to fly Friday and Saturday.

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 10:26 AM with the headline "Hot-air pig balloon hits tree, catches fire at Utah festival."