A man has died after falling out of a hot air balloon and landing on a suburban street in a suspected self-harm incident in Melbourne’s north-east.
Emergency services were called to Albert Street in Preston just after 7.30am Monday, where his body was located.
Police cordoned off the street as an investigation into the fatality was launched.
Power lines have fallen across the road while a white sheet covered the man’s body on the footpath under a SES tent.
The hot air balloon safely landed 8km away in Yarra Bend Park.
A man has died after falling out of a hot air balloon at Preston in Melbourne’s north
A police investigation is underway after a person fell out of a hot air balloon in Preston. The hot air balloon safely landed 8km in Yarra Bend Park (pictured)
‘Police are speaking to the other occupants in the balloon and witnesses to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,’ a police statement read.
Footage showed the scene where the balloon landed surrounded by police.
It’s understood several hot air balloons left the Yarra Valley around the same time shortly after 7am and were each about 15 minutes into the joyride when the incident occurred.
Passengers on a separate hot air balloon flight which safely landed in Fawkner Park told media that 15 minutes into the joyride, they heard mayday calls come over the radio that someone had fallen from another in Preston.
Shocked residents said that they woke up to a loud ‘thud’ as blaring sirens filled the street shortly afterwards.
‘I actually only heard the sirens, a lot of them,’ one man told the Today show.
‘My brother heard like a loud bang, almost like something like a large item falling in your house. And it wasn’t until we heard all the sirens that we came out.’
Power was cut to a number of homes along with reports of building damage.
Albert Street in Preston has been cordoned off as police launched an investigation
A number of air balloon operators run sunrise flights which fit up to 16 passengers in the basket at any one time.
It’s not known how many other occupants were on board at the time when the man fell.
It’s understood police aren’t treating the death as suspicious. Officers will prepare a report for the coroner.
Albert Street remains closed between Wood Street and Murray Road with traffic diversions in place.
‘Please avoid the area where possible, and follow the direction of emergency services,’ a VicTraffic alert stated.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the hot air balloon operator for comment.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Emergency services were called to Albert Street in Preston around 7.30am on Monday
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