French skydiver's hopes deflate as balloon escapes

A French skydiver's attempt to break the world free fall record failed to get off the ground when his balloon lifted off without him on board.

Michel Fournier, 64, hoped to break four world records by free falling 40,000m (25 miles) from a balloon in Saskatchewan, western Canada.

He hoped to bring back data vital for astronauts and those at high altitudes.



But his helium balloon detached from its capsule as it was being inflated, and drifted away into the sky.

Mr Fournier was hoping to break the record for the fastest and longest free fall, the highest parachute jump and the highest balloon flight.

He was planning to jump from a point three-times higher than a commercial jetliner flies.