Man who plunged to death made eerie hot air balloon comment before fatal trip

A former colleague of a man who died after plunging from a hot air balloon last week says he vowed to never get on one due to his fear of heights.

The body of Jesus Lato Garzon, from Watford, was found in a field near Newpound Common in West Sussex after he fell from a Virgin flight. He had reportedly recently quit his job at plush five-star retreat The Grove in Hertfordshire, telling friends at the hotel that he 'needed to think about his life'.

After reports that someone had fallen, a search was launched which lasted more than four hours with drones, officers and dogs all trying to find the man. The body of Mr Garzon , who was originally from Seville, Spain, was later found in a field nearby, Sussex Police said.

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The 33-year-old was among 16 passengers and a pilot on the flight from Billingshurst, West Sussex, to Dunsfold, Surrey, and had paid for the flight experience himself, the force said. He had worked at the spa for five years.

One of his former co-workers at the £400-a-night resort described him as a "positive person" and "someone who wouldn't ever give up". The unnamed colleague told MailOnline he made a remark about hot air balloons a year before his death.

"I find it strange, though, that he went up in a hot air balloon," they said. "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'."

An inquest into the death will open at West Sussex Coroner's Court on Tuesday. 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."

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said following the search: "Police were called to a report of a man having fallen from a hot air balloon near Newpound Common, Wisborough Green, just after 9.20am on Friday (September 19).

"Following an extensive search the body of a man was sadly found in a field at 1.50pm. The search was carried out by neighbourhood officers, police drones, search officers and dogs.

"The man had been among a group of people on a balloon flight from Billingshurst to Dunsfold. An investigation is taking place as to the circumstances and at this time the incident is not being treated as suspicious."