A MAN who died in a fall from a hot air balloon had quit his job at a top hotel and told a colleague “you won’t get me in one”.
It’s believed that Jesus Lato Garzon, 33, intentionally took his own life after jumping from the balloon last Friday.
A man who died in a fall from a hot air balloon told a colleague beforehand ‘you won’t get me in one’[/caption]
It’s believed Jesus Lato Garzon deliberately jumped on September 19[/caption]
His body was found in a nearby field after an extensive search[/caption]
Garzon, from Watford but originally from Spain, was reported to have fallen at about 9.20am on September 19 near Newpound Common, Wisborough Green, West Sussex.
He is thought to have climbed out the basket “whilst at height”.
The 33-year-old was among 16 passengers and a pilot on the Virgin Balloon Flight from Billingshurst, West Sussex, to Dunsfold, Surrey, and had bought the flight experience, Sussex Police said.
Before his tragic death, Garzon had worked in room service at a top five-star hotel called The Retreat in Hertfordshire
But he mysteriously resigned mid-shift earlier this month after working there for five years.
Colleagues told MailOnline that he was a “nice guy” and a “hard worker” and that his death had come as a “massive shock”.
But when he suddenly quit, Garzon reportedly told them: “I need to go away and think about my life”.
Another colleague recalled how Garzon had made a light-hearted comment to him previously about his fear of heights and never wanting to travel in a hot air balloon.
He said that he used to “chat and joke with him” and that he was “well-liked” at the hotel.
“I find it strange though, that he went up in a hot air balloon. Last summer, hot air balloon trips were offered by the hotel to guests and then later staff.
“I mentioned that I might go for it but Jesus shook his head and told me “you’ll never get me in one of those – I don’t like heights!”
Jon Rudoni, Chairman at the Commercial Ballooning Association, previously said in a statement that the entire event had been captured on the flight video and submitted to the police.
Sussex Police are not treating his death as suspicious.
After a huge search lasting more than four hours, using drones, officers and dogs, his body was found in a field nearby, the force said.
Pictures of the signature red Virgin hot air balloon show the vessel floating above the trees just minutes before they were called.
The Virgin Balloon Flights website said it operates flights from its back-up site in Dunsfold for excursions over the North and South Downs.
Last week, Detective Sergeant Elaine Keating said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts go to the family of the man and everyone on the flight. We are offering them specialist support at this time.
“The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and we are completing an investigation on behalf of the coroner.”
A Virgin Balloon Flights spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a passenger incident occurred on Friday morning.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the individual’s family at this incredibly difficult time. We are also deeply mindful of the experience of all passengers involved, and their wellbeing and peace of mind remain a priority.
“We kindly ask that privacy is respected, as the welfare and safety of our passengers and the public is always our utmost concern.
An inquest into Mr Garzon’s death will open at West Sussex Coroner’s Court on September 30.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organizations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
Garzon is said to have jumped from the basket ‘while at height’[/caption]
