Hot air balloon lands off Mass. Turnpike

[July 29, 2011]  AUBURN, Mass. (AP) -- It was unusual sight for rush hour motorists on the Massachusetts Turnpike: an emergency landing by a hot air balloon.

State police say the balloon carrying seven people touched down at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday on a ramp leading to a highway maintenance area in Auburn.

No one is injured.

Police say the pilot told officials he was having trouble controlling the balloon and wanted to bring it down before it reached a crowded urban area, such as nearby Worcester (WUS'-tur).

The balloon was removed within about 30 minutes, and the ramp was reopened. It's not known from where the balloon had taken off.

[Associated Press]

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