MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) \u2014 The downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon just off South Carolina\u2019s coast created a spectacle over one of the state\u2019s tourism hubs and drew crowds reacting with a mixture of bewildered gazing, distress and cheers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The balloon was struck by a missile from an F-22 fighter just off Myrtle Beach on Saturday, fascinating sky-watchers across a populous area known as the Grand Strand for its miles of beaches that draw retirees and vacationers. Crowds gathered in neighborhoods, hotel parking lots and beaches to watch the balloon hover, with some cheering just after it went down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The festive mood belied the seriousness of the situation<\/a>, with law enforcement around the county of 366,000 warning people not to touch any debris and to instead call dispatchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMembers of the US Military are coordinating to collect debris; however, fragments may make it to the coastline,\u201d the Horry County Police Department said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashlyn Preaux, 33, went out to get her mail in Forestbrook, South Carolina, just inland of Myrtle Beach when she saw her neighbors gathered outside. Curious, she went to see what they were looking at. It was easy to spot the balloon in the cloudless blue sky, and what appeared to be fighter jets circling overhead. After the strike, she could see the balloon start to come apart and fall from the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI did not anticipate waking up to be in a \u2018Top Gun\u2019 movie today,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The balloon hovered directly above the Hardy family as they checked into their oceanfront hotel in Myrtle Beach. The family from Anderson joined several employees in the parking lot taking videos of the scene unfolding above before going up to their room ahead of the missile strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Logan Hardy, 12, said the moment of impact generated a \u201cboom\u201d that shook the building. His room\u2019s balcony gave the middle-schooler a clear view of the debris dropping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt looked like stars falling down,\u201d he said, adding: \u201cI will never forget this day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some watchers rushed to nearby beaches as the balloon approached the ocean. Travis Huffstetler, who captured photos of the balloon, said the packed Garden City Beach almost looked like summertime on the chilly winter day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the balloon began crossing the water, Mark Doss, 54, drove a golf cart three blocks down from his home to Garden City Beach. There, Doss said he and his two teenage children spent 90 minutes watching the strike and waiting in vain for debris to wash ashore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sheer size of the white orb awed Doss, who said the approaching fighter jet looked like a model airplane. Doss recalled a \u201cwhite puff of smoke\u201d after the missile struck the balloon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat one jet made a beeline straight to it \u2014 wham!\u201d Doss said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Life continued uninterrupted for many others into the evening. Doss described the spectacle from a biker bar. There, Saturday night thrill seekers gathered like normal as if international tensions had not played out hours earlier 60,000 feet (18,300 meters) above them. A cover band performed while people shot pool and huddled around patio heaters. Along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, nightlife staff went unbothered by the day\u2019s events. Others waiting in line outside a club had completely missed the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n