A newly engaged couple has a rather unique proposal story to tell after the hot air balloon they were riding in took a dip into the ocean off Cardiff Reef.
Eric Barretto was proposing to his girlfriend around sunset Sunday when the hot air balloon they were riding in suddenly drifted off course and landed in the ocean, according to published reports.
The couple jumped out and swam to shore, according to KPBS news partner 10News. A pilot was also in hot air balloon when it landed in the ocean.
Witnesses said lifeguards and surfers rushed to help, pulling the balloon back to shore using ropes that were dropped from the balloon's basket.
“Someone dropped a rope out of the balloon, and all of the surfers started paddling over,” witness Matt Lawson told 10News. “They grabbed onto the rope to try and start pulling it in to the beach so they could land the basket on dry sand.”
No one was hurt and Barretto's girlfriend said yes.
