Man Dies After Falling Off A Hot Air Balloon In Australia’s Melbourne

Melbourne: A sightseeing hot air balloon ride in Melbourne ended in heartbreak on Monday after a passenger tragically fell from the basket shortly after takeoff.

The incident occurred during a morning flight originating from a northern suburb of the city. While the balloon landed safely later, emergency services discovered the man’s body in a nearby residential area.

The cause of the fall remains under investigation, with authorities ruling out foul play. Police are interviewing other passengers and witnesses to reconstruct the events.

“This is a devastating loss, and our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” expressed a spokesperson for the National Commercial Hot Air Ballooning Industry in a joint statement with the Australian Ballooning Federation.

The statement further emphasized the safety measures in place for hot air balloon rides. “Baskets are designed to prevent accidental falls,” it assured. “The pilot and remaining passengers are understandably shaken by this experience, and the operator is providing them with access to psychological support and counselling.”

Victoria Police confirmed they are preparing a report for the coroner. “Emergency services responded to a report of a deceased male on Albert Street around 7:30 am,” a spokesperson stated. “The death is not considered suspicious at this time.”