Virginia State Police said one person has been found dead, but two remain missing after a hot air balloon caught fire and crashed Friday evening.
The incident occurred near Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, just south of Fredericksburg around 8 p.m. The balloon was one of three attempting to land in a field.
One of the balloons struck a live power line and caught fire. The pilot attempted to extinguish the fire and manage the situation when witnesses said there was an explosion. The balloon and the basket separated after the explosion.
Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller said searchers worked through Friday night into Saturday morning and found one body. She said the remains were sent to the Chief Medical Officer for autopsy and positive identification.
She did not release the identity of the found victim. Searchers are continuing to canvass the area for the other two missing people as well as the basket part of the balloon.
Geller said searchers were able to locate a debris field and specialized teams will be spreading out from that area. She is hopeful that daybreak will assist in recovery of victims.
FAA investigators are already on the scene and an NTSB team is enroute.
The Mid-Atlantic Balloon Festival was taking place in the area this weekend. A "Friday Flights Happy Hour" was scheduled for three hours beginning at 6 p.m.
As of 11 p.m. Friday, festival planners announced on Facebook the rest of the weekend's events are canceled.
Photo Credit: Carrie Hager Bradley, via Facebook