@article{ref1,
title="Hot air balloon fatalities in New Mexico: the forensic pathology experience",
journal="American journal of forensic medicine and pathology",
year="2022",
author="Gallego, Daniel F. and Zuluaga Ruiz, Maria E. and Bodor, Garon and Lathrop, Sarah and Proe, Lori",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Albuquerque New Mexico is the &quot;hot air balloon capital of the world,&quot; with balloons flying throughout the year and during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The medical literature regarding morbidity and mortality in hot air balloon accidents is relatively scarce. <br><br>METHODS: A series of fatal, hot air balloon accidents were identified by querying and analyzing the databases of the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico from 1972 to 2021. <br><br>RESULTS: Twenty-one lethal cases from 11 hot air balloon accidents were evaluated. Fifty-seven percent of decedents were male, the age range was 29 to 74 years, and all the decedents were White. Causes of death were certified as multiple injuries (52.4%), blunt trauma (42.9%), and electrocution (4.76%). The manner of death was accidental in all cases. Most common autopsy findings were rib fractures (100%), pelvic fractures (81.8%), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (72.7%). October was the month with the most accidents (63.63%), the most common cause was the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles (14.3%), and the most frequent collision was with power lines (63.6%). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Hot air balloon fatalities are rare, and the patterns of injury resemble those seen in free falls from significant heights with extensive blunt trauma.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0195-7910",
doi="10.1097/PAF.0000000000000796",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PAF.0000000000000796"
}