A balloon with a Virgin logo

A man who died after falling from a hot air balloon took his own life, an inquest has concluded. Jesus Lato Garzon, 33, from Watford, was reported to have fallen at 9.23am on September 19 near Newpound Common, Wisborough Green, West Sussex.

After a search lasting more than four hours, using drones, officers and dogs, his body was found on farmland nearby, having sustained “traumatic injuries”. Assistant Coroner Sally Morgan concluded at West Sussex Coroner’s Court in Horsham on Monday that Mr Garzon had “intended” to die by suicide when he left the balloon.

Footage from the balloon shows that he “waves” at a camera in the basket immediately before he fell to his death. Mr Garzon, who had worked as a lifeguard, was among 16 passengers and a pilot to board a V

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