‘Balloon boy’ family break silence for first time in 16 years since controversial hoax sparked fury across America

A new Netflix documentary explores an infamous hoax that gripped the entirety of America, after parents lied about their son taking off in a homemade flying saucer.

If you're looking for something new to get stuck into on Netflix, and you're fan of a deep-dive documentary (who isn't these days?!), Trainwreck: Balloon Boy could be one to look out for.

The Heene family were placed at the centre of a US scandal 16 years ago when their young boy became known as 'balloon boy'. Falcon Heene, just six years old at the time, supposedly took off in a family-made flying saucer from his garden, prompting mass panic from the American public.

Several agencies, including the local sheriff’s office, the National Guard, and even Homeland Security, were called in to help deal with the incident.

But it turns out that there was no six-year-old flying in the saucer at all.

Falcon is now 21, but was just six years old when he supposedly floated off in the saucer (Netflix)

Now 21, Falcon noted: "I think it was crazy how I was 6 years old and I was able to affect the whole state of the country."

During the trailer, Richard recalls dialling 911 from their home in Colorado, claiming that his flying saucer had 'escaped' from their garden, with their young son inside of it.

While some have called the incident a hoax with the motive of driving attention to the family, others have suggested that the whole thing really was an unfortunate misunderstanding.

The documentary features new interviews with family members over a decade on from being accused of fabricating the entire narrative.

In the film, dad Richard, who built the infamous flying saucer, described the incident as the 'biggest nightmare ever'.

The homemade flying saucer was created in the garden of their Colorado home (Netflix)

He said: "All I wanted to do was make a really fantastic project for the kids."

Naturally, people have questioned the intentions of the family as years have passed by.

Some wondered whether they had used it to garner attention, after featuring on an episode of Wife Swap a year prior.

"Everybody starts criticising us," Richard said.

The Heene family have consistently denied that the incident was a hoax (Netflix)

"I’m like, ‘You’ve got to be s****ing me!"

But the documentary is set to offer a balanced take on the situation, as some interviewees come to the family's defence, while others raise questions about their intentions and motives.

One can be seen suggesting: "Richard and Mayumi love those kids."

While another added: "Richard did this purposely."

Burt another warned sinisterly: "If you think you know him, you probably don’t."

The documentary, Trainwreck: Balloon Boy, premieres on Tuesday, 15 July on Netflix.