A tragic incident in the Western Cape has led to the death of a 64-year-old Swiss man following a paragliding accident.
The victim, who was part of a group of five paragliders, lost contact with the group during their flight and was later found deceased.
Local authorities have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Incident and Search Efforts
The paragliding group had departed from Piekenierskloof in Citrusdal on the afternoon of January 9, between 13:00 and 14:00.
During the flight, the group lost contact with the victim, which prompted them to alert Skymed and begin a search operation.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana, the man’s body was discovered near Ontongskop, in the mountains, and was later transported to the Waterval Nature Reserve, where he was declared dead by medical personnel.
Cause of Death Still Under Investigation
A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death, while an inquest docket has been opened by Tulbagh police for further investigation into the accident.
The South African Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA) has also confirmed the incident but noted that no witnesses were present to provide any insights into what led to the fatal crash.
Rescue and Search Efforts Coordinated by Local Authorities
Search and rescue efforts were coordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) and carried out by Metro EMS Rescue and AMS.
While the circumstances of the crash remain unclear, the investigation will aim to shed light on the events leading to the pilot’s tragic death.
Aviation Authorities Notified of the Incident
The Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID) has been notified and is expected to conduct a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, paragliding enthusiasts and the local community continue to express their condolences over the tragic loss.