An advertising blimp at the US Open in Wisconsin has deflated and crashed, burning as it fell and injuring the pilot, authorities have said.
The pilot was being treated for serious burns and injuries, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. No one else was on board the blimp.
The CEO of the blimp's operator AirSign, a Florida-based company, Patrick Walsh credited crew chief Matt Schmidt with saving pilot Trevor Thompson's life.
Schmidt told ESPN.com that he was the first to arrive at the crash scene and that he pulled Thompson away from the burning wreckage just before the blimp's propane tanks exploded.
"I heard him calling out for help when I got there," Schmidt said.
"He was able to get out of the gondola and he was probably five to 10 feet away from (the blimp) trying to crawl away.
"I asked him if he could move and he said he couldn't get up and walk. I pulled him as far away as I could and as fast as I could.
"I got 50 feet away before the first tank exploded, and then I pulled him about another 60 feet away before the second one exploded."
The incident occurred near Erin, where the golf tournament is being held. The sheriff's office said the blimp may have experienced mechanical problems prior to the crash.
The blimp crashed in an open field about 1km from the Erin Hills golf course around 11.15 am, according to a statement from the US Golf Association.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot at this time," the USGA statement said.
Some witnesses reported on social media that the blimp was on fire and smoking before it hit the ground, and smoke was visible rising among the trees after the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it would investigate the incident. According to the sheriff's office, the blimp had been airborne for several hours prior to the incident and was lawfully operating at the proper altitude.
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