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Hot Air Balloon Lands Off Mass. Turnpike

(Courtesy State Police)
(Courtesy State Police)

It was unusual sight for rush hour motorists on the Massachusetts Turnpike: An emergency landing by a hot air balloon.

State police said the recreational balloon carrying seven people touched down at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday on a ramp leading to a turnpike maintenance area in Auburn.

No one was injured.

Police said the pilot told officials he was having trouble controlling the balloon and wanted to bring it down before it reached a crowded urban area, such as nearby Worcester.

The balloon was removed within about 30 minutes and the ramp reopened. It wasn't immediately known from where the hot air balloon had taken off.

This program aired on July 28, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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