Downed blimp shuts down I-35 near Ardmore Wednesday afternoon

December 17, 2009 at 5:36 pm (Uncategorized)

Downed blimp shuts down I-35 near Ardmore Wednesday afternoon

(FROM STAFF REPORTS)

Published: Dec 17, 2009

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A mechanical failure prompted a homemade blimp operator to make an emergency landing in the median of Interstate 35 near the southern edge of Ardmore late Wednesday afternoon.

There were no injuries reported in the crash, but the northbound lanes were closed while the craft was removed from the road, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Authorities say the blimp belonged to 79-year-old Marvin Polzein, president of the Guest Inn in Ardmore, who lost a previous version of his blimp in May when the unmanned aircraft escaped and floated 110 miles south where finally landed in a tree in Decatur, Texas.