<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Haunting footage shows the moments before a man fell to his death from a hot air balloon in Melbourne.
The man was one of ten people in the vehicle when it took off around 7 a.m. Monday.
Video, obtained by 7News, shows the man, dressed in a brown sweater, alongside other guests as they enjoy views of the city at dawn.
Witnesses said the man appeared to be OK and was discussing politics with the ride operator as the balloon flew through the air.
But ten minutes later, as the ride reached about 450 yards, he shockingly – and without warning – popped out of the basket in an act of self-harm and plunged to his death.
The pilot immediately called out on May 1 when horrified motorists and families on the ground saw the man falling through the air.
Haunting footage shows final moments of man who died after jumping from hot air balloon in Melbourne
Emergency services were called to Albert Street, in Preston, in the north-east of the city, shortly afterwards after her body was found in a front yard.
Power lines were seen down across the road while a white sheet covered the man’s body on the pavement under an SES tent.
The balloon landed safely 8km away at Yarra Bend Park in Fairfield, and police quickly surrounded it once it landed.
Passengers on board the hot air balloon were said to have been deeply traumatized by what happened and the operator offered them counseling.
Passengers on another hot air balloon flight, launching at the same time, said that about 15 minutes into their ride they heard distress calls on the radio reporting that someone had fallen from another ball at Preston.
Shocked residents said they woke up to a loud bang as blaring sirens filled the street shortly after the man fell from the hot air balloon.
A man has died after falling from a hot air balloon in Preston, in Melbourne’s north, in a suspected self-harm incident.
Hot air balloon landed safely 8km from Yarra Bend Park (pictured)
Meanwhile, shocked residents said they woke up to a loud bang as blaring sirens filled the street shortly after.
“My brother heard a loud bang, almost like a large object falling into your house. And it was only when we heard all the sirens that we came out,” a resident told the media.
Power was cut to a number of homes, and damage to buildings was reported.
A number of hot air balloon operators operate sunrise flights with up to 16 passengers in the basket at a time.
Officers will prepare a report for the coroner.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted operator Balloon Man for comment.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
The hot air balloon landed safely in a park (pictured) 8km from where the man plunged to his death.
Paramedics were then seen removing the man’s body from the scene.