The pilot in January’s fatal hot air balloon crash in Eloy, Arizona, was initially reported to have elevated levels of ketamine in his system, but an amended autopsy released on Friday clarified that the potent drug had actually been administered as part of life-saving efforts. The original report had stated that Cornelius van der Walt, 37, had not been given the drug, but it was found in his system at a ratio more than 10 times greater than in impaired drivers. Ketamine is sometimes used as a sedative for trauma patients by emergency services personnel.
The amended autopsy report revealed that Air Evac Services had administered the ketamine to van der Walt on the day of the incident. The company provides emergency medical personnel and helicopters to transport critical trauma patients to hospitals. The revision was prompted by an Eloy Police Department investigator who noticed a potential discrepancy in the initial report findings. The toxicology test was conducted by NMS Labs of Pennsylvania, with the Federal Aviation Administration also conducting a similar test that yielded comparable results.
The hot air balloon crash occurred on Jan. 14, resulting in the deaths of four people, including van der Walt, with one survivor sustaining brain injury and broken bones. The balloon took flight with 13 occupants, of which eight skydivers jumped out at 5,000 feet as planned. The balloon began losing altitude after the skydivers’ departure, eventually plummeting to the ground from 2,000 feet at a high rate of speed. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The three other victims killed in the crash were identified as Chayton Wiescholek, Kaitlynn Bartom, and Atahan Kiliccote. The surviving passenger was hospitalized with severe injuries and managed to survive. The NTSB stated that an unspecified problem with the balloon’s envelope, which holds hot air to make the balloon rise, may have been a factor in the crash. Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides, the company founded by van der Walt, operated the balloon. The company temporarily halted services following the tragic incident.
Family and friends of van der Walt expressed shock and sadness over the autopsy report’s findings of ketamine in his system, receiving backlash and hate from some individuals. Michael Vanca, co-owner of Droplyne, described van der Walt as a “second son” and expressed his dismay at the negative reactions towards the deceased pilot. The company did not respond to requests for comment, with co-owner John Vanca reportedly traveling at the time. The crash has had a significant impact on the hot air balloon community, leading to increased scrutiny of safety protocols and procedures.
