Twist as man dies after falling from hot air balloon in Australia

by · Mail Online

A man has died after falling out of a hot air balloon in a self-harm incident in Melbourne.

Emergency services were called to Albert Street in Preston in the city's north-east after 7.30am Monday, where his body was located.

Police cordoned off the street as an investigation into the fatality was launched.

It's understood that the man fell from the basket at an elevation of 460m and that no warning was given to the pilot, the Herald Sun reported.

Power lines have fallen across the road while a white sheet covered the man's body on the footpath under an SES tent.

The body has since been removed from the scene. 

The hot air balloon safely landed 8km away in Yarra Bend Park in Fairfield, and police quickly surrounded it once it landed.

Shocked residents said that they woke up to a loud 'thud' as blaring sirens filled the street shortly after the man fell from the hot air balloon 
Paramedics were later seen removing the man's body from the scene
A man has died after falling out of a hot air balloon at Preston in Melbourne's north in a suspected self-harm incident
 The hot air balloon safely landed 8km  in Yarra Bend Park (pictured)

'Police are speaking to the other occupants in the balloon and witnesses to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,' a police statement read.

'The death is not being treated as suspicious.'

Passengers on board the hot air balloon are reported to be deeply traumatised by what happened and have been offered counselling by the operator.

It's understood several hot air balloons left the Yarra Valley around the same time shortly after 7am and were each about 15 minutes into the joyride when the incident occurred.

Passengers on a different hot air balloon flight said that approximately 15 minutes into their joyride, they heard distress calls over the radio reporting that someone had fallen from another balloon in Preston. 

Meanwhile, shocked residents said that they woke up to a loud 'thud' as blaring sirens filled the street shortly afterwards.

'My brother heard like a loud bang, almost like something like a large item falling in your house. And it wasn't until we heard all the sirens that we came out,' one resident told media.

Power was cut to a number of homes, along with reports of building damage. 

The man died after falling out of a hot air balloon in a suspected self-harm incident. Pictured is the scene in Albert Street, Preston
Albert Street in Preston has been cordoned off as police launched an investigation
Power lines have fallen across the road while a white sheet covered the man's body on the footpath under an SES tent

A number of air balloon operators run sunrise flights which fit up to 16 passengers in the basket at any one time.

It's not known how many other occupants were on board at the time when the man fell. 

Officers will prepare a report for the coroner. 

Albert Street remains closed between Wood Street and Murray Road with traffic diversions in place.

'Please avoid the area where possible, and follow the direction of emergency services,' a VicTraffic alert stated.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted operator Balloon Man for comment.

If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

The hot air balloon safely landed in a park (pictured) 8km away from where the man plunged to his death
Police and forensic officers have spent the morning examining the scene and interviewing witnesses
Power lines were also fallen during the incident with power cut to a number of homes
Motorists have been urged to avoid Albert Street in Preston, which remains blocked off