Brazilian priest takes to the air attached to helium party balloon, disappears

[link to en.wikipedia.org]

Adelir Antonio de Carli is a Brazilian priest from São Cristóvão famous for his attempt at cluster ballooning in April 2008. Carli, an experienced skydiver,[1] undertook the exercise in order to raise money to fund a spiritual rest area for truck drivers in Paranaguá, Brazil.

After taking off in a chair attached to 1000 balloons, Carli at one point reached an altitude of 6000 meters before losing contact with authorities. He is still missing, and pieces of balloon have since been reported floating in the sea off the coast.[2]

Carli's flight equipment included a parachute, helmet, water-proof coveralls, GPS device, satellite phone, flotation device chair, aluminum thermal flight suit, and at least five days of food and drinking water. His training for the stunt included jungle survival and mountain climbing courses. A Brazilian Fire Department commander familiar with the situation put the missing priest's chances of still being alive at 80%
[link to www.neatorama.com]