Man smiled and waved at camera during hot air balloon flight, then 16 passengers watched helplessly as he did this

A tragic scene unfolded during a hot air balloon excursion when a man smiled and waved at a camera moments before climbing out of the basket and falling to his death, an inquest has heard. Investigators say 33-year-old Jesus Lato Garzon exited the balloon during a flight operated by Virgin Balloon Flights. 

According to testimony from Elaine Keating, Garzon, a Spanish national who worked at a hotel in Watford, turned toward the pilot’s onboard camera, smiled, waved, and then lifted his legs over the basket’s edge. Moments later, he fell from the balloon at approximately 9:23 a.m. on 19 September, near Newpound Common.

Express reports the police later located his body on farmland beside the A272. The balloon had launched earlier that morning from Billingshurst with 16 other passengers on board. During the hearing, the inquest was told that Garzon’s fall happened so quickly that no one on the balloon had the chance to intervene or pull him back to safety. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The coroner ruled this a tragic suicide after finding evidence of his intentions

Garzon was found with a note that said he wanted his body to be cremated, according to the coroner. His death has been recorded as a suicide. The coroner called it utterly tragic.

The coroner said he found that Garzon deliberately climbed over the edge of the balloon basket after writing a note about what to do with his body. This showed he intended to take his own life. In other flight-related incidents, passengers have faced distressing situations during their travels.

“I found his actions of deliberately climbing over the edge of the balloon basket, having previously written a note giving instructions as to the disposal of his body, evidence of an indication to take his own life,” the Coroner said. He also offered his deepest sympathy to the family for their tragic loss.

Garzon arrived at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey around 6:45 am to board the flight. Because of fog, the departure was delayed, and the balloon took off from Adversane, near Billingshurst at 8:45 am. The hearing revealed that Garzon spoke to the pilot when he arrived at the airfield and was considered fit to fly.

Coworkers from the five-star Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire said Garzon had previously told them he was afraid of heights. Air travel safety continues to be a concern, especially after a plane dropped suddenly mid-flight in a recent incident. After the incident, a Virgin Balloon Flights spokesperson said their thoughts were with the family and they were concerned about all passengers involved.