Blimp crashes near US Open in Wisconsin, pilot injured

iStock/Thinkstock(ERIN, Wis.) — A blimp crashed Thursday morning in a field about a half-mile from the U.S. Open at the Erin Hills golf course in Wisconsin, injuring the pilot, the U.S. Golf Association said, citing local authorities.

A spokesperson for Airsign, an aerial advertising firm based in Florida, said its blimp was involved in the incident, and told ABC News the pilot suffered nonlife-threatening burns and will be “OK.”

No one else was involved in the incident, the U.S. Golf Association said.

A spokesperson for Airsign said the cause of the incident is unclear, adding that it happened shortly after the blimp refueled.

The airship was not affiliated with the U.S. Golf Association or the U.S. Open Championship broadcast, the U.S. Golf Association added.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot at this time,” the U.S. Golf Association said.

Airsign tweeted this view from the blimp on Thursday:

Here’s an aerial view of the US Open from the @penfed blimp. #PenFedBlimp #USOpen #USOpen2017 #ErinHills #Golf pic.twitter.com/qZjIjk4GwN

— AirSign (@AirSign) June 15, 2017

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