Chinese official media report that a man has been recovered safe after spending two days aloft in a hydrogen balloon and flying approximately 200 kilometers after the balloon became untethered while he was using it to pick pine nuts.
The man, named only by his surname, Hu, and a companion were picking pine nuts in a forest park in Heilongjiang province, northeastern China, on Sunday when they lost control of the balloon and it escaped.
The second individual jumped to the ground, and a search was initiated for Hu and the freed balloon.
CCTV reported that rescuers were able to reach the man via telephone the following morning and advised him to slowly lower the balloon in order to safely land it. It took him another day to reach the ground in the Fangzheng region, around 300 kilometers northeast of the Russian border.
CCTV said that Hu was in good health with the exception of a soreness in his lower back, possibly caused by standing the entire flight.
Thursday, a Hailin Forestry Administration Company officer identified only by his surname, Fu, confirmed the balloon incident and characterized Hu as being in his forties. He stated that Hu was recuperating in a hospital but declined to provide any information.
Inside pine cones are pine nuts, which are a common element in northeastern cuisine, historically known as Manchuria.