Authorities have named the man who died after falling from a hot air balloon in West Sussex on Friday morning as Jesus Lato Garzon, 33, from Watford. Police believe the incident was a deliberate act and are not treating the death as suspicious.
According to Sussex Police, Mr. Garzon reportedly climbed out of the basket at around 9:20 a.m. near Newpound Common, Wisborough Green, in front of 15 other passengers and the pilot. The flight had departed from Billingshurst and was heading toward Dunsfold. He had purchased the experience himself.
Emergency services, including drones, officers, and dogs, launched a large-scale four-hour search before locating his body in a nearby field. All passengers are being offered specialist support.
The Commercial Ballooning Association confirmed that the moment was captured on the balloon’s onboard video, which has been turned over to investigators. “It would appear that a passenger took their own life by climbing out of the basket whilst at height,” said Jon Rudoni, the association’s chair.
Virgin Balloon Flights, the operator of the trip, described the incident as “deeply saddening” and said its thoughts were with Mr. Garzon’s family and the other passengers who witnessed the tragedy. “We kindly ask that privacy is respected,” the company said in a statement, adding that it was fully cooperating with authorities.
Detective Sergeant Elaine Keating called the death a “tragic incident” and confirmed police are preparing a report for the coroner.
The incident raises serious questions about safety procedures in commercial ballooning, especially the ability of passengers to climb out of baskets mid-flight. While such events are extremely rare, the tragedy highlights a potential gap in risk management for aerial experiences marketed as leisure activities.
Virgin Balloon Flights and the Commercial Ballooning Association have stressed cooperation with authorities, but neither has yet outlined any review of passenger safety protocols following the incident.
The traumatic impact on other passengers, who witnessed the death firsthand, also underscores the need for post-incident support and psychological assistance in the adventure tourism sector.
