Base jumper Tancrède Melet was unable to free himself from hot air balloon and plummeted 65ft when it suddenly took off

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A French daredevil known for aerial stunts has fallen to his death while preparing for a dangerous tightrope walk between two hot air balloons.

Tancrède Melet, 32, fell while getting ready to perform the risky stunt in Drôme, southern France, on Tuesday. He was on the ground holding a hot air balloon when it suddenly took off and he was unable to disentangle himself from the line. He fell 65ft (20m) to the ground.

Melet – a slackliner, Base jumper and wingsuiter – was taking part in a performance art project when the accident happened.

Melet was well known in extreme sports and had appeared in adverts, videos, live shows and lectures. He was part of aerobatic company the Flying Frenchies.

The Flying Frenchies said in a statement: “He was one of the best in Base jump, highline, wingsuit and other air sports. He was also a climber and a high-level sportsman. He and his friends were seen as the pioneers of the skyline.”

Friends said Melet had been “in love with circus and acrobatic performance” and left behind “wonderful memories, a taste of freedom”.

Born in Meurthe-et-Moselle, eastern France, Melet grew up in the Hérault. It was at the Verdon Gorge that he discovered his love of mountain climbing.

He had a daughter with his partner, Tiphaine Breillot.