A tragic incident occurred in Melbourne’s north-east as a man fell from a hot-air balloon, leading to his demise. Emergency services responded to the scene on Albert Street in Preston around 7:30 am on Monday, where the man’s body was discovered.
Police commenced investigations, engaging with other occupants of the balloon and witnesses to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate event.
The road was temporarily closed between Wood Street and Murray Road, with motorists advised to seek alternative routes.
Authorities confirmed that the death was not considered suspicious and announced their intention to prepare a report for the coroner.
Despite the tragedy, the hot-air balloon landed safely at Yarra Bend Park. Counseling support was made available to the remaining passengers, highlighting the emotional toll of the incident.
Reflecting on the scene, Today Show reporter Izabella Staskowski described the atmosphere in Preston as “really confronting” due to its suburban nature.
The National Commercial Hot Air Ballooning Industry and the Australian Ballooning Federation extended their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
Emphasizing safety measures, they stated that hot air balloon baskets are designed to prevent accidental falls or exits, reaffirming their commitment to passenger safety.
“Passengers and the pilot are understandably traumatised by this tragedy and the operator is arranging psychological support and counselling for all affected.”
The hot air balloon departed from CT Barling Reserve in Reservoir at 7 am, and the unfortunate incident occurred shortly after, resulting in the man’s fall.
Authorities have launched investigations into the matter, with WorkSafe Victoria, the Air Transport Safety Bureau, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority all involved in determining the circumstances surrounding the event.
This incident follows previous concerns regarding hot air balloon safety. In April 2022, a hot air balloon, carrying 13 passengers and a pilot on its maiden flight, was compelled to make an emergency landing among buildings in Elwood, located in Melbourne’s south-east.
Thankfully, only three individuals sustained minor injuries in that instance. Additionally, on New Year’s Eve in 2021, two people were injured during a hard landing in a field near Lilydale, east of Melbourne.
The balloon’s basket was dragged 30 meters during the landing, highlighting the risks associated with such incidents.
In another concerning incident, a fuel leak ignited a fire aboard a hot air balloon flying over Victoria on Boxing Day in 2018. Among the 15 passengers on board, one individual suffered an injury, cutting their hand after the basket landed in trees.
This event underscores the importance of thorough safety protocols and inspections within the hot air ballooning industry to prevent such accidents from occurring.