Court lets air out of balloon injury case

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin appeals court has let the air out of a lawsuit brought by a woman injured by a runaway hot air balloon.

The 4th District Court of Appeals has rejected the case brought by Patti Roberts of Beaver Dam.

Roberts was hurt while standing in line waiting for a hot air balloon ride at a charity event in Beaver Dam. The balloon was tethered to the ground by three ropes attached to trees and a large truck.

A gust of wind led to one of the tethers snapping, causing the basket and balloon to skid along the ground knocking down and injuring Roberts.

She sued Sundog Ballooning, but the appeals court says state law provides it immunity from the injury claim because it happened during a recreational activity.