A six-year-old Colorado boy was believed to be trapped in a homemade balloon that was turned loose, sparking widespread hysteria earlier Thursday afternoon.
He was given an obligatory nickname - Balloon Boy - by the crazed media, which pounced on the breaking story faster than a Lindsay Lohan on an eight-ball.
But in the end, it turns out Falcon Heene was never actually on it. Yes, the balloon Balloon Boy was on was completely empty. And yes, that's his real name.
The saga started when a giant silvery balloon floated away from the family's yard this morning, sparking a frantic rescue operation that involved military helicopters and briefly halted some departures from Denver International Airport.
But more than two hours after the balloon gently touched down in a field with no sign of the boy, Sheriff Jim Alderden turned to reporters during a news conference, gave a thumbs up and said 6-year-old Falcon Heene was "at the house."
"Apparently he's been there the whole time," he said.
NON-BALLOON BOY: Falcon Heene after he emerged from the attic.
The boy's father, Richard Heene, said the family was tinkering with the balloon and he scolded Falcon for getting inside a compartment on board the craft.
He said Falcon's brother saw him inside the compartment and that's why they thought he was aboard the balloon when it launched ... if you believe that.
Obviously, we are happy lil' Falcon is safe and sound, first and foremost.
But we can't help but wonder whether the country jumped the gun or if we got straight up punked by elaborate publicity stunt (Falcon’s family were one-time contestants on Wife Swap, which has raised more than a few sets of eyebrows).
Would it surprise you in the least in this Twitter-obsessed age? Just saying.
Anyway, here's a report about Balloon Boy (before he was found, of course):
Share
20 Comments
October 15th, 2009 8:45 PM
That kid needs a swift kick in the ass.
October 15th, 2009 9:05 PM
so are the parents going to pay for all the choppers etc?
October 15th, 2009 9:05 PM
glad to see that the boy is ok though!!
October 15th, 2009 9:30 PM
total pr stunt!!!!!
October 15th, 2009 11:17 PM
I don't know about y'all, but before I would report my son missing (or to have floated away in a balloon), I'd check the house. That would be a good way to make sure his little ass was there before I started some crazy, expensive media frenzy.
October 16th, 2009 4:17 AM
"The first time out they made me look like a mad man. This time around, we look like wackos."
Is it just me? Or do they just crave national publicity no matter how crazy they look. I reckon the whole "boy in a balloon" thing was a stunt.
October 16th, 2009 7:25 AM
it looks like theres strings on it? cos if there is couldn't they just pull it in?
October 16th, 2009 8:44 AM
Why would they spend a whole news show on the balloon story? Who cares about these stupids? And just when you think you've seen the stupidest people, then the story airs about the "heat lodge" deaths.
October 16th, 2009 8:59 AM
nathan higham has ginger pubes he is just so cool and one black so he is not a rascist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 16th, 2009 7:23 PM
This was an amazing story. Who could blame a 6 year old for anything. In commemoration of the event, I created a Balloon boy t-shirt. Check it out at:
http://www.tshirtmonster.ca/designer/JoesOysterBar/