Cupertino Man Killed In AZ Hot Air Balloon Crash

CUPERTINO, CA — A man from Cupertino and three other people were killed in a hot air balloon crash Sunday in the Arizona desert, about 60 miles south of Phoenix, according to authorities.

FOX 10 Pheonix reported the balloon took off with 13 people on board, including eight skydivers, four passengers, and the craft's pilot. Police said the eight skydivers jumped as planned, leaving the balloon before any issues had become evident. The ensuing crash killed the pilot and three passengers. One passenger survived but suffered critical injuries.

NBC Bay Area reported that Atahan Kiliccote, 24, of Cupertino was among the victims who were rushed to the hospital and later died.

The Eloy Police Department identified the other victims as:

• Chayton Wiescholek, 28, of Union City, Michigan (Passenger).
• Kaitlynn Bartrom, 28, of Andrews, Indiana (Passenger).
• Cornelius Van Der Walt, 37, of Walvis Bay, Namibia, and living in Eloy, Arizona (Pilot).

The woman critically injured in the crash was identified as Valerie Stutterheim, 23, of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Police officials said investigators would work with the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration to complete a full investigation into the crash.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives in this tragic incident, and our thoughts are with Ms. Stutterheim as she receives medical care," the department wrote Monday.