What happened to Kathleen Caronna at the 1997 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Kathleen Caronna was severely injured by a falling lamp post piece after the Cat in the Hat balloon crashed during high winds.

How did the Cat in the Hat balloon cause an accident?

The Cat in the Hat balloon was blown by 40 mph winds into a lamp post, causing a part of it to break and fall.

Was Kathleen Caronna injured in another incident?

Yes, Kathleen Caronna narrowly escaped death again in 2006 when a plane crashed into her apartment building.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Cat in the Hat Balloon Nearly Kills Woman

Cat in the Hat Balloon Nearly Kills Woman

27 Nov

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Summary

Cat in the Hat balloon crashed due to 40 mph winds.
Victim Kathleen Caronna spent 24 days in a coma.
She narrowly escaped death again when a plane crashed into her apartment.

Cat in the Hat Balloon Nearly Kills Woman

In 1997, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City turned terrifying when gale-force winds reached 40 mph. This severe weather caused several balloons to lose control, including the massive Cat in the Hat balloon. It collided with a lamp post, sending a piece of metal plummeting into the crowd, striking Kathleen Caronna.

Caronna suffered a fractured skull and spent 24 days in a coma due to the severe head injury. The accident led to permanent brain damage, affecting her speech and memory. She subsequently filed a $395 million lawsuit against Macy's, the city, and a contractor, eventually settling for an undisclosed sum before trial.

Remarkably, Caronna faced another life-threatening incident in 2006 when a small plane crashed into her New York City apartment building. The plane's engine landed in her bedroom just minutes before she was scheduled to arrive home, underscoring a pattern of extraordinary survival.

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