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2 Colorado Women Killed In Hot Air Balloon Accident

AUSTIN, Texas (CBS4) - A mother and daughter with ties to Colorado Springs are among the 16 people killed in a hot air balloon crash Saturday in Texas.

The balloon went down just outside of Austin. Federal investigators were on scene Sunday looking for clues as to what caused the balloon to crash near a series of power lines, eight miles from where it took off.

Lorilee Brabson and her daughter Paige moved to Texas a few years ago from Colorado Springs. Photos show the two in the gondola just before the balloon hit power lines and went down.

texas balloon crash victims Lorilee and Paige Brabson
Lorilee and Paige Brabson (credit: CBS)

Lorilee's brother talked about the moment they got the terrible news.

"So my mom started calling everybody frantically. Everybody started calling them and they wouldn't answer none of us," said Jason Pino.

Family members said Lorilee had always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon, and that Saturday's ride was a Mother's Day gift from Paige.

TX BALLOON CRASH
(credit: CBS)

Both Paige and Lorilee graduated from Harrison High School in Colorado Springs.

The identities of the other victims have not been released.

The accident was the deadliest hot air balloon crash in U.S. history.

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