6. M&M Balloon Tear Leads to Injurious Debris Fall, 2005
Here’s another Thanksgiving Day parade balloon whose destruction was caused by high winds: a 515-pound M&M balloon in 2005. While traveling through Times Square, the balloon-tipped towards an office building and caught onto a street light on 43rd street, causing debris to fall and strike two sisters.
Concerns were raised earlier in the parade when some witnesses noticed other balloons swaying, even before the M&M one came along. This prompted a city investigation to adjust parade balloon safety rules that were already in place. Both sisters were pretty seriously hurt; one needed nine stitches at the back of her head. Their compensation? A lifetime supply of M&Ms.