LONG BEACH, Calif, July 2, 1983
A truck driver with 45 weather balloons rigged to a lawn chair took a 45-minute ride aloft to 16,000 feet today before he got cold, shot some balloons out and crashed into a power line, the police said.
"I know it sounds strange, but it's true," Lieut. Rod Mickelson said after he stopped laughing. "The guy just filled up the balloons with helium, strapped on a parachute, grabbed a BB gun and took off."
The man was identified as Larry Walters, 33 years old, of North Hollywood. He was not injured.
4 comments:
that's the best thing i've read in a long time. and i've read some good stuff lately.
so, where ya off too?
I think that whenever I look at one of your paintings I think about him! We should try it this summer. I don't know where to get those big balloons, but lets go looking.
i was JUST watching this video yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5akEgsZSfhg
so weird and appropriate for this post!!
up, up and away!!!
I do too.
I think his story is so tragic and beautiful.
"He was immediately arrested by waiting members of the Long Beach Police Department; when asked by a reporter why he had done it, Walters replied, "A man can't just sit around."
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