31 January 8 p.m. EST, final update
Safe Landing in Crete, Nebraska!
Just heard from Andy, and he is enroute back to Oklahoma City, with Mark and Johanna Caviezel with the balloon. From OKC, he'll be going back home to Savannah with the ballon. He said they swooped in low over town, at 40 mph, just as school was starting and made a rough landing and were actually bounced out of the basket, but managed to keep hold of the drag line and keep the balloon from hitting the treeline. The chase crew was on scene very soon after, and the balloon suffered no damage. There is a short news story from the Lincoln Journal Star at:
Short news story
and a longer story:
Balloonists escape rough landing near Crete
Thanks to all who helped and supported the attempt!