Man dies after falling from hot air balloon over Melbourne
An unidentified man lost his life early on Monday morning after falling from a hot-air balloon above Preston, Melbourne. The incident, which occurred around 7:30 am on Albert Road, has left the neighbourhood in disbelief.
Paramedics swiftly responded to the scene following distress calls, only to find the lifeless body of the man on the street. According to authorities, the victim was riding in the hot air balloon when the tragic accident unfolded.
The area quickly became a hive of activity, with dozens of police officers cordoning off the road in both directions. Eyewitnesses reported a scene of chaos, with power lines falling onto the road and emergency service crews rushing to the aid of the victim.
One neighbour, speaking to reporters from the Today show, recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the discovery of the man's body. "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," he said.
Expressions of condolences and solidarity have poured in from the local community and beyond, as news of the tragedy spreads. More updates are expected as authorities work to unravel the events leading up to this heartbreaking incident.
Images: The Today Show | ABC News