A tower of Cumulus Media News/Talk 770 KKOB Albuquerque collapsed a little before 9:00 this morning after a hot air balloon crashed into it.
The balloon was part of the annual Balloon Fiesta in the city. It struck the tower this morning and then continued flying. Some homes near the tower were evacuated as a precaution as power was cut to the site. The condition of those in the balloon was unknown.
Yesterday happened to be the 20th anniversary of a Smokey The Bear balloon crashing into the same tower. KKOB continues to broadcast on simulcast 96.3 KKOB-FM Albuquerque.
A hot air balloon clipped the KKOB radio tower causing it to collapse just west of Balloon Fiesta Park. No injuries were reported, and the balloon was able to land safely somewhere else. pic.twitter.com/LIIwy0xoDc
— Grant Tosterud (@granttosterudwx) October 11, 2024
K.M. Richards
Ironically, the Balloon Fiesta was originally created as part of (K)KOB’s 50th anniversary celebration back in 1972.
I wonder what changes will be made next year in light of this.