Balloon boy dad denies media stunt

Sat Oct 17 2009 00:09:46

The father of a youngster who sparked a massive search and rescue operation for a helium air balloon has reportedly dismissed suggestions it was a ploy to get publicity.

Six-year-old Falcon Heene was thought to have been on board the homemade airship which broke free from its moorings in Colorado. He was hiding in the attic at his Fort Collins home.

There was a media frenzy as US cable news networks interrupted coverage of a town hall meeting by President Barack Obama to broadcast live footage of the small Mylar airship. It dropped to the ground after drifting for two hours over a distance of around 50 miles.

The Heene family spoke with emotion to the media afterwards about Falcon being found save and well. But their motives are being questioned.

It's reported that the youngster hesitated in a CNN interview after being asked by his father why he didn't emerge from his hiding place when he heard his parents calling. Falcon apparently answered: "You had said that we did this for a show."

The boy's father is then said to have brushed aside the comment, claiming it was said in relation to a previous appearance on the reality TV show Wife Swap.

Heene was described as a storm chaser and amateur scientist who had involved his wife and sons in his activities.

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