From: The Denver Post

The Fort Collins family whose experimental balloon caused a global sensation Thursday insisted this morning on national television that the incident was never a hoax and they all believed 6-year-old Falcon was aboard and in danger.

The boy, his parents and his two brothers all appeared live this morning on national networks - CBS, NBC, and ABC — in interviews from their home.

All the interviews touched on the question of whether the incident was staged, to garner publicity for the family who had made reality TV appearances earlier.

During a CNN interview on Thursday night, a statement by Falcon - “You had said that we did this for a show” — fueled the question of the day: Accident or hoax?

Heene, the boy’s father, told TV audiences this morning that Falcon was talking about TV cameramen who were outside the home Thursday, covering the runaway flight and then Falcon being found safe in the home.
“That’s what he was talking about - the show,” Heene said.

All three boys looked a bit tired this morning, sometimes stifling yawns.

On ABC’s Good Morning America, Falcon became ill, getting up from a chair and racing to a bathroom where he could be heard in the background throwing up.

The family released video this morning, taken by 10-year-old Bradford, of the balloon escaping from their yard Thursday.

Both parents were present and Richard Heene is visibly upset, raising his voice in anger as he twists and kicks a wooden frame that had been supporting the balloon.

Heene told TV viewers he was upset because he thought his wife, Mayumi, had tethered the balloon, but she hadn’t.

“I just saw him (Falcon) go under the flying saucer,” Bradford said on ABC. “I saw him go under it and I saw the door shut.”

On The CBS Early show Falcon was asked if he was in the balloon: “Yea, and then I got out.”

He said he “went to the attic to play.”

Falcon said he eventually came out of the attic on his own.
The boys have hiding places all over the home, Richard Heene said. The family plans to discuss the hiding places.

“The kids like to hide in cabinets. They hide behind the sofa. We’d like to know where their hiding places are,” Heene said. “If there is a fire, they can get trapped. There will be no secrets now.”

The family thanked everyone who helped chase down the balloon and who looked for Falcon when they feared he had fell from the sky.

“I can’t believe that many people poured their hearts out and helped,” Heene said.

During the interviews both parents became emotional, each on the verge of tears.

Whether Falcon faces any family discipline over the incident remains to be seen.
“There is no room for that right now,” Henne told Early Show viewers.

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