A man who tragically died after falling from a hot air balloon had expressed his fear of heights and reluctance to ever board one, according to a former colleague. The body of Jesus Lato Garzon, a resident of Watford, was discovered in a field near Newpound Common in West Sussex after the incident. Garzon, who hailed from Seville, Spain, had recently left his job at The Grove, a luxury five-star retreat in Hertfordshire, to contemplate his life, as per reports.
The 33-year-old was part of a group of 16 passengers and a pilot on a flight from Billingshurst, West Sussex, to Dunsfold, Surrey, which he had paid for himself. Colleagues described him as a positive and determined individual who had worked at the spa for five years. An unnamed co-worker mentioned a conversation with Garzon a year prior in which he had expressed his aversion to hot air balloons due to his fear of heights.
Authorities conducted a search operation, involving drones, officers, and dogs, after reports of the fall, eventually locating Garzon’s body in a nearby field. The incident is being investigated, and an inquest is scheduled to commence at West Sussex Coroner’s Court. Sussex Police stated that the man’s death is not deemed suspicious.
A spokesperson from Virgin Balloon Flights expressed sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the family of the deceased. Sussex Police confirmed the discovery of the man’s body following the fall and stated that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.