Tancrede Melet was a slackliner, jumper and wingsuiter from France. He founded the famous stunt group called the Flying Frenchies, also known as the Skyliners.
DROME, FRANCE — Famous French daredevil Tancrede Melet, a world expert in extreme sports, died on Tuesday after he fell from a hot air balloon as he prepared for a new performance.The accident happened in Drome, France, where Melet and four members of his crew were preparing an artistic project, believed to be a tightrope walking between hot air balloons, ABC News reported.
According to Le Dauphime, at the time of the accident, the hot air balloon was anchored to the ground but suddenly lifted off. Melet could not hold on and eventually fell from a height of more than 20 meters to his death.
Melet was part of the stunt group called the Flying Frenchies, also known as the Skyliners, who have become famous around the world for their death-defying performances involving tightrope walks between mountains peaks or skyscrapers.
He was born in the southern French province of Herault and quit his job as an engineer four years ago to dedicate himself fulltime to his passion.
The Flying Frenchies published a statement on their Facebook page that read: "Tancrede Melet, a surprising lover of life, surprised us yesterday morning by leaving us too soon. He leaves behind wonderful memories, a taste of freedom and a head full of dreams."
