It's hard to believe no one but us spotted this during the original broadcast.
It was plain as day.
On October 15, 2009, Richard and Mayumi Heene in Fort Collins, Colorado, allowed a gas balloon filled with helium to float away into the atmosphere, and then claimed that their six-year-old son Falcon was inside it. At the time, it was reported by the mass media that the boy was apparently traveling at altitudes reaching 7,000 feet (2,100 m)[1] in a homemade balloon colored and shaped to resemble a silver flying saucer-type of UFO.[2][3][4] The event attracted worldwide attention.[1][5] Falcon was nicknamed "Balloon Boy" by some in the media.[6]
After an hours-long flight that covered more than 50 miles (80 km) across three counties,[7] the balloon landed about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Denver International Airport. Authorities closed down the Denver airport and sent several National Guard helicopters and local police in pursuit. After the balloon landed and the boy was found not to be inside, authorities began a manhunt of the entire area, raising fears that he had fallen from the balloon; it was reported that an object had detached from the balloon and fallen to the ground.[3] Later that afternoon the boy was reported to have been hiding at his house the entire time.[8]
Suspicions soon arose that the incident was a hoax and publicity stunt engineered by the boy's parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, particularly following the Heenes' interview with Wolf Blitzer on Larry King Live that evening. In response to a question about why he was hiding, Falcon said to his father, "You guys said that, um, we did this for the show."[9] On October 18, Larimer County sheriff Jim Alderden announced his conclusion that the incident was a hoax and that the parents would likely face several felony charges.[10][11] Richard Heene pleaded guilty on November 13, 2009, to the charge of attempting to influence a public servant. On December 23, 2009, Richard Heene was sentenced to 90 days' jail and Mayumi Heene to 20 days' weekend jail;[12] Richard was also ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution.
The family said they first suspected Falcon Heene was missing when, immediately after the balloon had taken off, Falcon's brother told them that he had seen the seven year old climb into the basket of the balloon beforehand. A home video released the following day shows the launch of the balloon. Richard inspects the basket, then his family count down in unison "three, two, one" before releasing the cord.[30][31] Apparently believing the balloon to be tethered a few feet from the ground,[30] the family starts screaming in distress when it floats off into the sky. Richard Heene, who can be seen kicking the wood frame that supported the balloon, yelled amidst a myriad of obscene words, "You didn't put the fucking tether down!"[31] Falcon is nowhere to be seen and nobody mentions the possibility of Falcon being in the runaway balloon.[30]
According to initial reports from the sheriff, the family first called the Federal Aviation Administration, although later the sheriff's office stated that "they had no confirmation that Richard Heene actually made the call to the FAA.".[32] They then called Denver NBC affiliate KUSA-TV; they reportedly requested that the station send a news helicopter to track the balloon's progress,[33][34][35] and then called emergency services. During the call to 911 at 11:29 AM local time (MDT) Richard Heene said "I don't know whether it's possible you guys could detect the electricity that it emits ... it emits a million volts on the outer skin."[36][37]
The balloon, tracked by helicopters, drifted for 60 miles (97 km), passing through Adams County and Weld County. Planes were rerouted around the balloon's flight path and Denver International Airport was briefly shut down.[19] The balloon finally landed two hours later at around 1:35 PM local time near Keenesburg, 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Denver International Airport.[38][39]
When the boy was not found inside the balloon, officials expressed concern that he might have fallen out during the flight. Although it was reported that it did not appear breached,[1] Margie Martinez of the Weld County Sheriff's Office said that the door was unlocked in the balloon. A sheriff deputy reported seeing something fall from the balloon near Platteville, Colorado and a photograph of the balloon in flight with a small black dot below was said to suggest the boy may have fallen out or that something had detached from the balloon.[40] Search and rescue crews in Colorado searched for the boy.[41]
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no pelicans interfered with that rescue.
Reiuxcat 2 years ago
Joe to the rescue!!
beethovenqueen 2 years ago
Hahahahaha!!! Wooooo!
megabraddotcom 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Ahh, the ongoing failure of comedy, satire and insight that is iowntheworld.
CCP2 2 years ago
mmm.. jiffy pop.
whitetuber 2 years ago
I like how Biden has to keep hoding on despite his hand being burnt up... hilarious
BertWeidermeyer 2 years ago 2