French Daredevil Killed Preparing for Hot Air Balloon Stunt

Tancrede Melet, a member of the “Flying Frenchies,” fell to his death.

ByABC News
January 7, 2016, 11:32 AM

— -- Frenchman Tancrede Melet, an expert slackliner, base jumper and wing-suitor, died Tuesday while preparing to perform a hot air balloon stunt in southern France.

The 32-year-old daredevil was part of a group of pioneering stuntmen who call themselves the “Flying Frenchies” and the “Skyliners.” They are known for their death-defying High-Line walks performed all over the world from mountain peaks to skyscrapers. His team confirmed his death to ABC News.

Melet and four members of his crew were preparing to perform a stunt with a hot air balloon, when he accidentally fell almost 100 feet and was killed, according to French news outlets.

On his Facebook page, his fellow “Skyliners” posted a statement saying, “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.”

"Nightline" profiled the Flying Frenchies as they attempted to walk between two free-flying hot air balloons thousands of feet in the air above the Spanish plains for an ABC News special that aired in March 2014. Watch our original report HERE:

Part 1:

Part 1: French group lives for the thrill of pushing their instincts to the limit and cheating death.
Part 1: French group lives for the thrill of pushing their instincts to the limit and cheating death.

Part 2:

Part 2: "Flying Frenchies" Julien and Tancrede slackline untethered in a stunt in Spain.
Part 2: "Flying Frenchies" Julien and Tancrede slackline untethered in a stunt in Spain.