Record sky dive attempt fails as balloon drifts off

A skydiver’s hope to set a new free-fall record was dealt another blow yesterday when his ride to the sky left without him.

French skydiver Michel Fournier’s bid to set a new altitude free-fall record was scuppered when the balloon that was to carry him into the stratosphere separated from his gondola.

Fournier has spent 20 years and nearly €15 million on his quest.