Hot air balloon dips into the ocean, 3 rescued

Published October 6, 2014 4:20am ET



ENCINITAS, Calif. (AP) — Lifeguards and surfers have rescued three people out of a hot air balloon after it went into the ocean off a Southern California beach.

KNSD-TV reports a man was proposing to his girlfriend during their sunset ride Sunday when the balloon drifted off course and hovered over the water off Cardiff by the Sea.

Many people watched as the balloon drifted toward the beach in northern San Diego county and dipped into the water.

Eric Barretto told the station he and his fiancee threw a rope to the water below and several surfers pulled the balloon back to shore.

A witness told U-T San Diego (http://bit.ly/1rcKtGZ ) the pilot stayed with the balloon and kept it inflated while it was tugged onto the beach.

No injuries were reported.