ERIN, WIS. — Eyes were turned skyward Thursday as spectators at Erin Hills watched a blimp as it caught on fire and crashed to the ground about a mile from the course.

Witnesses reported seeing a person parachute from the blimp but a spokesman for AirSign said that the pilot stayed with the vehicle until it hit the ground.

The pilot suffered serious burns and other injuries, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a release. He was transported to a local hospital.

Shortly after the blimp crashed into an empty field, a fireball rose from its front end as the fire grew more intense.

No one on the ground was hurt.

—?John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times