ELOY, Ariz. — A revised autopsy report shows the pilot of a hot air balloon that crashed in Eloy had ketamine administered to him by Air Evac Services after the crash occurred as part of a resuscitation effort.
It was originally reported Wednesday that elevated levels of ketamine were found in the pilot's system with no details regarding how or why the substance was found in his system. The crash left four people dead, including the pilot, and another person severely injured.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Un nuevo informe muestra que se le administró ketamina al piloto de un globo aerostático en Eloy luego de un accidente fatal
On the morning of Jan. 14, 37-year-old Cornelius Van Der Walt piloted the balloon, operated by Droplyne Hot Air Balloon Rides, with 13 people on board, including eight skydivers.
At the height of the ride, the skydivers jumped from the balloon’s basket. Minutes later the balloon started to fall to the ground.
According to a preliminary report from the FAA, the balloon had a deflated envelope.
Two toxicology panels were conducted by NMS Labs and the Federal Aviation Administration, and both found ketamine in Van Der Walt's blood. In a revised report from the Pinal Medical Examiner, the ketamine was administered by Air Evac Services.
"According to a report received on April 5, 2024, 35 mg of ketamine was administered to the decedent at a concentration of 500mg/10ml at 9:14 am on the day of the incident by Air Evac Services," the updated autopsy report says.
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. It distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
It is used for short-term sedation and anesthesia. In 2019, the FDA approved a nasal spray version for treatment-resistant depression that is only available at a certified doctor’s office or clinic.
*Editor's Note: 12News did not learn about the new details in the autopsy report until an updated version of the document was released on Friday, April 5.*
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