Hoops coach dies in balloon crash

— -- A women's basketball coach at the University of Richmond was among three people feared dead after a hot air balloon drifted into a power line and burst into flames in front of hundreds of horrified spectators.

Associate head coach Ginny Doyle was presumed to have been killed in the accident, the victim's sister told the Washington Post. Another member of the school's coaching staff was also on board the balloon, the sister told the newspaper.

Doyle, 44, was a former Richmond player who had been a member of the coaching staff for 16 seasons.

Bodies of two occupants of the balloon have been recovered. Rescuers were still searching Saturday for the third victim and any remnants of the balloon or its basket, state police said.

Witnesses said they heard the anguished pleas of the passengers Friday night as the balloon touched the power line and erupted into flames . It was among 13 balloons that took off from Meadow Event Park, home to the state fair of Virginia, and was approaching a landing site nearby.

Two of the balloons landed safely before the third hit the live power line.

The pilot attempted to retain control of the balloon and snuff the fire. Two passengers either jumped or fell from the gondola, according to witnesses. The gondola and the balloon then separated.

Federal investigators were at the scene in rural Caroline County.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.