Alberta man pleads guilty to 120 balloon high-flying stunt
Digital Reporter
Thursday, December 22, 2016, 3:26 PM - Notorious Alberta balloon man Dan Boria has pleaded guilty to a high-flying stunt that occurred in July 2015, landing himself in a situation with the law he simply can't fly away from.
A self-proclaimed skydiver, Boria launched himself several hundred metres over Calgary's Stampede grounds in a lawn chair tied to 120 helium balloons last summer. The act was part of an elaborate plan to raise awareness about his cleaning product company.
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Boria planned to parachute into the middle of the Stampede's chuckwagon races. However, with no way to steer his flying chair, the Alberta man could only rely on the wind currents to control his flight path.
Just saw this floating through the skies of Calgary. Hope it’s not a stampede #balloon vendor out of control. #yyc pic.twitter.com/xcI07rdRw9
— Tom Warne (@tomwarne) July 6, 2015
Strong winds caused Boria to miss his target. Instead, he landed in an industrial field in the city's southeast. He sustained an injured angle in the fall and was charged by Calgary Police with one count of mischief causing danger to life among several other things.
The 27-year-old has pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of an aircraft.
Boria is in court Thursday. He could face a $5,000 fine and possible jail time. He is also expected to make a donation to a local charity as part of his punishment.
SOURCE: CBC
