Posted on 11/24/2005 11:24:47 AM PST by NotchJohnson
Balloon Injures Two at Macy's Parade Nov 24 1:17 PM US/Eastern
By DAVID B. CARUSO Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK
A giant balloon at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade snagged a street light near Times Square and caused part of it to fall into the crowd, injuring two people, according to police and eyewitness accounts.
The accident happened near the end of the parade when the balloon's tethers became entangled on the head of the street lamp, about 2 1/2 feet in diameter, and knocked it off.
The 26-year-old woman and 11-year-old girl were apparently hurt by the debris. They were in stable condition at the Bellevue Hospital emergency room, said hospital administrator Peter Schectman. The nature of their injuries was not immediately known.
"It happened so fast," said parade spectator Karim Simmons, of Queens. "I said, 'Oh, my God!' It dropped like a rock."
The circumstances were an echo of a 1997 accident, when two people were seriously injured when 45 mph winds forced a "Cat in the Hat" balloon into a metal pole on Central Park West.
Officials then set guidelines that would limit the use of balloons if wind threatened to be too strong.
Parade organizers were given the go-ahead to use the balloons this year, but ordered them tethered on shorter lines because of some moderate breezes at the parade's start.
It was not immediately clear if wind played a factor in this year's accident, which involved the "M&Ms" balloon.
The Macy's parade started in 1924 and has been an annual tradition, canceled only in the World War II years of 1942 to 1944.
The balloons, including Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer, the parade's first Latina balloon character, shared top billing with 10 marching bands, 27 floats and performers such as LeAnn Rimes, Aaron Neville and Kristin Chenoweth.
Among those watching was 85-year-old Ron Kahn, who took pictures while perching on a ladder.
"This is wonderful. It's part of New York," Kahn said.
Sayra Hernandez watched from a side street with her son, Lucas, 4, sitting on her shoulders.
"It seems better on TV, maybe more glamorous, not this hectic," said Hernandez, 30, of Manhattan. "But the smile on my kid's face is priceless
Since they said it fell like a rock I'm assuming it was a Peanut M&M.
The balloons, including Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer, the parade's first Latina balloon ....
Could this not been just a good old American parade without the diversity bit? jeez..I wonder if Dora had her green card....
Yes, and if the trial lawyers get to work, this may be the last Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
We did not see this, but my husband and I were talking about what would happen if one of those balloons deflated all at once. I remember as a kid I thought at least one balloon was supposed to get snagged each parade. At least it seemed that way to me at the time.
They'll also go after M&M Mars.
Good point....It is really too bad that people got hurt but once again lawyers may destroy another American tradition.....
Oh no! They actually had a balloon of a Hispanic themed cartoon character? Say it ain't so!!!
Evidently "Speedy Gonzalez" never made it in to the Macy's parade.
Speaking of "Dora, the Explorer", I watched one episode once with my three-year old grandson. We never considered what race she is, only that she is extemely irritating so I dug out some old Popeye cartoon videos and we watched those instead.
After the accident in 1997 they should have made the people stand far away from where the balloons pass by.
We were in NY On Thanksgiving last year and saw the parade two blocks away from where they were passing and they looked large from there, the Police wouldn't allow us to get any closer. Still we totally enjoyed the parade without the crunch of people.
My kid loves Dora. She is popular as hell right now.
The fact that they need to make a special point of it based on race is what I'm sick of. If our society is supposed to be colorblind, they need to shut up about this stuff and just let it be a character.
The 26-year-old woman and 11-year-old girl were apparently bumped by the balloon and then were trampled flat by a rush of trial attorneys.
Watching the parade on NBC today, I was astounded and disgusted that there was -- NO PARADE. Did I watch the wrong show? Essentially the only coverage was of the shows in front of Macy's. In prior years it seemed that the shows were featured, but there was some parade coverage too. Any other comments on this?
I missed the first hour, but noticed there were no broadway shows this year. And did I miss the Rockettes?
You missed the first hour. That's when they have the Broadway shows. Yes, they did have the Rockettes. The one thing I noted was that I have to put up with these yo-yos from the Today Show once a year and it's annoying. I have no idea how people can do it every other day.
"We just count our blessings that they weren't seriously injured," the father said.
The family won't sue because it was "a freak accident," and "accidents just happen," he said.
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All's well that ends well.
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