Man brings 'Up' to life by flying over South Africa in chair held up by balloons

Tom Morgan, 38, flew for more than 15 miles strapped to a lawn chair.

ByABC News
October 25, 2017, 8:38 AM

— -- An English man inspired by the movie “Up” strapped himself to a lawn chair with balloons and took flight over South Africa this week.

Tom Morgan, 38, flew for more than 15 miles at 8,000 feet in the air while strapped to just a lawn chair and 100 giant helium balloons. The video of his flight was posted by the Adventurists, a group that says its mission is "fighting to make the world less boring."

PHOTO: Tom Morgan, 38, flew for more than 15 miles at 8,000 feet in the air while strapped to a lawn chair and 100 giant helium balloons.
Tom Morgan, 38, flew for more than 15 miles at 8,000 feet in the air while strapped to a lawn chair and 100 giant helium balloons.
PHOTO: Tom Morgan, 38, who flew for more than 15 miles strapped to helium balloons, is part of an adventure group called The Adventurists.
Tom Morgan, 38, who flew for more than 15 miles strapped to helium balloons, is part of an adventure group called The Adventurists.
PHOTO: Tom Morgan, of Bristol, England, flew over South Africa attached to balloons in a stunt reminiscent of the animated movie "Up."
Tom Morgan, of Bristol, England, flew over South Africa attached to balloons in a stunt reminiscent of the animated movie "Up."
PHOTO: Adventurist Tom Morgan, 38, next hopes to launch a three-day, long distance race flying with the balloons.
Adventurist Tom Morgan, 38, next hopes to launch a three-day, long distance race flying with the balloons.

In “Up,” the 2009 animated film from Disney-Pixar, a man straps balloons to his house to travel to South America.

PHOTO: A house being carried away in the movie "Up," 2009.
A house being carried away in the movie "Up," 2009.
PHOTO: A scene from the movie "Up," 2009.
A scene from the movie "Up," 2009.

Morgan, of Bristol, England, stayed over one country, but the feat had its share of danger. Morgan said he planned the stunt for months and overcame odds that included the possibilities of dangerous winds and exploding balloons.

Morgan next plans to launch a three-day, long distance race flying with the balloons. The Adventurists' website does warn people that "these are genuinely dangerous things to do" and that people cannot "overestimate the risks involved in taking part in these adventures."

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