"Santa," practicing for a Christmas gig in France fell from a Douai belfry to his death according to The Daily Mail. Sebastien Delzenne was training with around 20 other members of the show during a rehearsal for the annual Santa descent into town by members of the local climbing club scheduled for Dec. 20 when he fell from about a third of the way down, dying instantly.
"He was preparing for Christmas. Every year, Santa Claus descends from the belfry in Douai," said a representative for the local fire and rescue team, according to Breitbart.
The 24-year-old from Cuincy, France, was to participate in this Sunday's Nord tow show, which is the 50th anniversary of the first bell tower descent, in which Santa rappels down the façade of the Mairie bell tower to the delight of the waiting Christmas crowd, according to Connexion France.
Investigators are checking Delzenne's rappelling harness and rope to see if there was a malfunction, since it is supposed to prevent any fall and Delzenne is an experienced climber.
Authorities hope an autopsy will show if Delzenne had become ill prior to the fall. The mayor is meeting with club members to decide if Sunday's scheduled event will still take place.
