A hot air balloon handler has died following a fall as he assisted passengers at the end of a ride.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Authorities say the incident happened Friday night in western New York.

According to state police, 34-year-old Ryan Almeter was restraining a balloon basket in Livingston County around 9:10 p.m.

Investigators say as passengers were getting off following a ride, wind caused the balloon to take flight in the Town of Nunda.

Police say the balloon rose to about 100 feet. At that point, Almeter let go of the basket and plunged to his death.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified of the incident by state police.

No other injuries were reported.

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