Hot Air Balloon Pilot Leaves Couple to Die (VIDEO)

A pilot has been arrested in Mexico after bailing out of a burning hot air balloon, leaving a husband and wife to die as their 13-year-old daughter survived a 131ft plunge from the aircraft.

The incident occurred in Teotihuacán, State of Mexico, on Saturday when Victor Guzmán, who was piloting the balloon, abandoned the craft, leaving the family behind.

José Nolasco, 50, and his wife, Viridiana Becerril, 39, lost their lives in the fiery crash, while their daughter Regina Itzani suffered a broken arm and second-degree burns. Guzmán, who suffered second-degree burns to his face and one of his arms, was detained after visiting a hospital to receive treatment.

Guzmán is facing two alleged homicide charges and has admitted to abandoning the balloon because he didn’t know how to respond to the emergency.

Witnesses said he jumped off the balloon as it hovered in flames about 16 feet above ground, leaving the family behind. The frightening video footage shows occupants appearing to either fall or jump from the craft.

It is unclear if the company that provided the hot air balloon service, Autocinema Retroviso, is licensed to operate and has proper insurance to cover accidents. The Federal Aviation Agency is leading the investigation.

The Teotihuacán Hot Air Balloon Federation said in a statement that Autocinema Retroviso is not one of the eight companies that offer such services, and called on authorities to cancel the operations of companies that operate outside the legal framework, affecting the safety of all who operate in the immediate vicinity of the archaeological site of Teotihuacán.

The tragedy is a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations, particularly in industries where people’s lives are at risk.

The investigation into the incident must be thorough and comprehensive to prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future. Our thoughts are with the family of the victims, and we hope for a speedy recovery for Regina Itzani.