A fatal incident unfolded in the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, when a man tragically fell to his death from a hot-air balloon. The hot-air balloon had been airborne for approximately 30 minutes after taking off from the northern suburbs before the accident occurred. The man’s body was later found in a residential area of Preston, leading to a temporary closure of the affected road to facilitate investigations.

Police arrived at the scene on Albert Street around 7:30 am, where emergency services were called into action. Despite the tragic circumstances, the balloon managed to land safely in Yarra Bend Park, a distance away from where the man fell. Authorities have indicated that the man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and are preparing a report for the coroner.

The incident has prompted investigations by multiple bodies, including the local police, WorkSafe Victoria, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aiming to unveil the circumstances that led to the man’s fall. The National Commercial Hot-Air Ballooning Industry and the Australian Ballooning Federation have both expressed their condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, emphasizing the existence of safety measures designed to prevent such accidents. They also highlighted the arrangement of psychological support and counselling for those affected by this tragic event.

As investigations continue, authorities are speaking with the balloon’s pilot, passengers, and witnesses to piece together the events leading to the fatal accident. The tragic incident has called attention to the risks associated with hot-air ballooning, with safety regulators and industry bodies likely to scrutinize safety practices to prevent future occurrences.