A man who fell to his death from a hot air balloon in front of horrified passengers had recently quit his job at one of Britain’s top hotels telling colleagues: ‘I need to think about my life.’
Jesus Lato Garzon, 33, worked in room service at The Grove, a five-star country retreat in Hertfordshire popular with celebrities, but he resigned mid-shift earlier this month.
Mr Garzon was originally from Seville in southern Spain and had been working at the hotel and health spa for the last five years.
He was reported to have fallen from the balloon at about 9.20am last Friday near Newpound Common, Wisborough Green, West Sussex, after paying for a ticket on the Virgin Balloons Flight ride.
It is thought he intentionally took his own life.
The horrifying moment was captured on video during the trip, which saw 15 fellow passengers and a pilot witness the tragedy.
His body was found in a field following a huge four-hour search using drones, officers and dogs.
Colleagues at The Grove, where rooms start at £400-a-night, paid tribute today.
Jesus Lato Garzon, 33, ‘climbed out’ of a hot air balloon and plunged to his death in West Sussex last Friday
Mr Garzon had paid for his own ticket to ride in the balloon, which was similar to this one
Mr Garzon had worked at The Grove hotel (pictured) in Watford, Hertfordshire for five years before abruptly quitting in July
One said: ‘He was a nice guy, a hard worker and good at what he did.
‘It’s a massive shock because he always seemed to be a positive person, someone who wouldn’t ever give up. But I guess you never know what’s really on someone’s mind.
‘He quit earlier this month. He’d left in the middle of a shift and told other colleagues “I need to go away and think about my life”. Everyone assumed he meant that he was going to do something different with his time… not this.
‘I found him a little intense but in a good way. He was interesting to talk you, I enjoyed his company.
‘He had family in Seville in Spain. He’d take sabbaticals to go and see them for a few months and come back to the UK.
‘Before the pandemic, Jesus worked in the health spa and pool as a lifeguard but in more recent years he was working in room service attending to guests.
‘I didn’t see him out socially, he was a very private guy and I don’t think he went out all that much.
‘He liked to go running and keep fit.’
Another colleague told how Mr Garzon had made a light-hearted comment to him last year about never wanting to travel in a hot air balloon due to a fear of heights.
He said: ‘I knew him a little bit so this has shocked me and caused me some pain.
Mr Garzon was originally from Seville in southern Spain and had been working at the hotel and health spa for the last five years – he fell near Newpound Common (pictured), Wisborough Green, West Sussex
‘He was a nice guy, I used to chat and joke with him.
‘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!”
‘It’s really sad, he was well-liked here.’
Tom Cruise and The Batman star Robert Pattinson are among a host of A-listers who have stayed at The Grove, which also has a championship golf course and was where US President Donald Trump met former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a Nato summit in December 2019.
Mr Garzon rented a ground floor flat in a terraced house close to the centre of Watford, about two and a half miles from the hotel.
Police searched the property last Saturday, neighbours said.
One woman, who lives next door, told the Daily Mail: ‘The police turned up last weekend with the landlord, who let them into Jesus’s flat.
‘They had a look around for about 10 to 15 minutes and then left. An officer spoke to me and other residents and asked if we knew Jesus and if we’d seen him over the past few days.
‘The officer didn’t tell me what it was about. To be honest, I didn’t know Jesus that well at all and rarely saw him, he kept to himself most of the time.’
Mr Garzon was part of a group among 16 passengers and a pilot on a balloon flight travelling over the North and South Downs from Billingshurst in West Sussex to Dunsfold in Surrey.
His death is not being treated as suspicious, Sussex Police said.
According to the Commercial Ballooning Association, the incident was captured on the flight video and submitted to police.
Photos from the scene show emergency services searching a field near Newpound Common in the village.
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.’
The operator, Virgin Balloon Flights, 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.
‘We are working closely with, and fully supporting, the relevant authorities as they carry out their investigation.’
For free, confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit thecalmzone.net/get-support
