Fort Collins boy in loose aircraft (6 yr old boy found hiding at home not in balloon)

Denver Post ^ | October 15, 2009 | Kieran Nicholson

[Arec Barrwin]

Rescuers are tracking and chasing a "homemade flying saucer" that is in flight with a 6-year-old, by himself, on board.

The incident started this morning in Fort Collins when the boy got into the balloon-like device, which was built by an adult, and it came loose from a tether, according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.

The contraption could rise as high as 10,000 feet, the sheriff's office said.

The home-made flying saucer was last seen in flight over Weld County.

The sheriff's office is working the Federal Aviation Administration to determine how to best get the boy down.

The homemade airplane was tethered in Fort Collins when the boy got onboard and it floated away. (Lisa Ecklund via 9News)

The six-year-old boy was by himself on board the hommade aircraft. (Courtesy Lisa Ecklund, via 9News)

The craft could fly as high as 10,000 feet, according to the Weld County Sheriff's Office. (Lisa Ecklund via 9News)

[dfwgator]

How long before the family is visited by Child Protective Services.

Oh I'd say probably in about right about now.

[Will88]

Active boys, they have their own rap video:

http://abcnews.go.com/

[ican'tbelieveit]

Thinking back to past media stories. Wasn’t Polly Klaas’s dad a bit overboard? Lot of attention went toward him in terms of “he did it” because he wasn’t just like me, didn’t act the way I would act? I know we could come up with many more instances.

[Jewbacca]

“but just think of the laughs they are going to get twenty years from now.”

It’s a happy ending.

When I saw the second photo of the “speck” I had very little hope.

[ReneeLynn]

I think it was just those three little boys who hoaxed this. After all the brother was swearing his brother got into it. I doubt they’re afraid of being spanked.

[Above My Pay Grade]

Actually, his story isn’t so compelling anymore. What is Oprah gonna ask him? Had you been in the attic before? Were there stairs or one of those pull down ladder things? Was it scary climbing up there? What kind of box was it?

[md2576]

Shepard Smith was the first to say he figured the kid was hiding under the bed and was asking if authorities had TRULY searched the house. Seems he was right as soon as this story broke. Even said they were unsure if they should even report it.

[potlatch]

[a break in the street view on Fossil Ridge....probably in front of Falcon’s garage. ]

Google probably cut out the view of their home while all this was going on. They could have been swamped with people trying to see it. I never thought of it, just watched the balloon.

[Viking2002]

IMO, I think the kid probably got the thing loose on his own, and was too scared to say anything, so he did what any six year old would do: hid in the attic. We'll see as the dénouement plays out.........

[Judith Anne]

Thanks for letting us know!

Thank You Lord Jesus that the boy is safe!

[MNDude]

the family are obvious attention whores. They were in on the whole thing and will tell their kids to take all the blame.

[mware]

Shade I think it is just human nature.

When that little girl was caught in that drain hole years ago (I think her name was Jessica) the whole country was transfixed on her rescue.

[ican'tbelieveit]

By whose definition? Hollywood? I wouldn’t go on a reality TV show, and by and large, I find most people who go on those shows a bit off. But, that is our right in this country. To be ourselves.

[PureSolace]

IMO, I think the kid probably got the thing loose on his own, and was too scared to say anything, so he did what any six year old would do: hid in the attic. We'll see as the dénouement plays out.........

I agree with Viking.

[mlizzy]

I saw the parents when they were on Wife Swap...it's just as likely that they were in on the hoax. Pops is a nutcase.

Yes, that's what I was thinking as well.

[dfwgator]

I doubt they’re afraid of being spanked.

When Dad gets the bill for the search, getting spanked will be the least of their worries.

[SE Mom]

You’re joking, right?

[Jewbacca]

Jessica McClure

[yield 2 the right]

Just glad the kid is alive, but the whole thing was getting weird!

[Uri’el-2012]

By whose definition? Hollywood? I wouldn’t go on a reality TV show, and by and large, I find most people who go on those shows a bit off. But, that is our right in this country. To be ourselves.

google it yourself