The tragedy unfolded as the balloon crashed, claiming the life of one person at the scene, while three others were pronounced deceased at the hospital.
It's still not clear what exactly caused the crash and the incident is currently under investigation.
From ABC15:
The mayor of Eloy said that 13 people — eight skydivers, four passengers, and a pilot — had been in the balloon, which was operated by Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides. Before the crash, the skydivers exited the gondola. Witnesses told officials that the balloon was straight up and down before a hard impact.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other three died at a hospital. One person is in critical condition at a Valley hospital.
Eloy police identified the four people who died as:
Chayton Wiescholek, 28, from Union City, Michigan
Kaitlynn "Katie" Bartrom, 28, from Andrews, Indiana
Atahan Kiliccote, 24, from Cupertino, California
Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, originally from South Africa, residing in Eloy, AZ, and identified as the pilot
A 23-year-old woman from Scottsdale remains in critical condition.
The family of 28-year-old Katie Bartrom told ABC15 she was a registered nurse from Indiana. Bartrom's mom, Jennifer Hubartt, says she loved skydiving and adventure.
"It's kind of somber here at home. We're crying about her on and off and talking about her on and off still trying to make it real," said Hubartt. "She was a beautiful person, she recently became an RN and was making it on her own."
Hubartt said Bartrom traveled from Indiana to Arizona with friends.
