Multiple hurt in hot air balloon crash outside Las Vegas

At least seven people were injured, three seriously, when a hot air balloon crashed in a desert outside Las Vegas.

Nine people were in the balloon's gondola Thursday morning when it made a hard landing in a desert, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor told CNN.

The pilot was thrown from the gondola, Gregor said. KNVT-TV reported it took a half mile for the balloon to come to a stop.

Seven people were taken to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, one of whom was airlifted, said Danita Cohen, chief experience officer for University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. Four patients were treated and released.

Las Vegas Metro Police told the Las Vegas Sun each victim is expected to survive.

The FAA is investigating the incident.

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