A serene hot air balloon flight over the picturesque West Sussex countryside ended in tragedy on Friday, 19th September, resulting in the death of a man who fell from the basket.
The incident occurred near the South Downs National Park, a popular area for aerial activities. Emergency services, including Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service, were swiftly dispatched to the scene following reports of a person falling from a significant height.
Despite the rapid response of paramedics, the man was pronounced dead at the location. Authorities have confirmed that his next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.
Sussex Police released a statement confirming they were called to a report of a man having fallen from a hot air balloon. The force is working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and is preparing a file for the coroner.
In accordance with standard procedure for aviation-related accidents, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been notified and is expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fall.
The balloon itself is reported to have landed safely elsewhere. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and the wider aviation community, raising questions about safety protocols for such flights.
An investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to this devastating outcome.
