This is not a joke. Actually, this looks like a hoax. See updates below.

Authorities were trying to determine Thursday how to safely bring down a 6-year-old boy who reportedly clambered into his family’s experimental balloon-powered aircraft and floated away from home, sheriff’s officials said.

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Department said the boy’s family had been building an experimental aircraft that had a large helium balloon attached to it at their home, KUSA-TV reported. The aircraft was approximately 20 feet by 5 feet and covered in tin foil, the station said.

Pictures here. And live video as it happens here.

Latest: No kid inside when balloon lands.

Very latest: The missing boy is found alive and safe at his house. Breaking at 6:30 pm, Thursday.

Update 3: Was this a scam? The kids says “We did it for the show.” More here.

Update 4: Sheriff’s Department announces it will bring criminal charges against the family based on false claims by the family. More here.