whirling, whirling, whirling towards freedom

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Hopes for finding a priest who disappeared after soaring into the air with hundreds of colorful balloons are growing slimmer, rescue officials said Wednesday.

Roman Catholic Rev. Adelir Antonio de Carli has been missing since Sunday, when he lifted off from the port city of Paranagua wearing a helmet, an aluminum thermal flight suit, waterproof coveralls and a parachute. He was seeking to break a record for the longest time in-flight with helium-filled party balloons.

Hopes fade for finding balloonist priest in Brazil