Gadsa Valley of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh witnessed a tragic accident during a paragliding event on Friday evening, resulting in the death of a 28-year-old tourist from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.
The deceased, identified as Jayesh, succumbed to injuries sustained when two paragliders collided mid-air. The pilot, who also suffered injuries, is undergoing treatment at Dhalpur hospital.
According to initial reports, the paragliding equipment was registered with the Tourism Department and the pilot held a valid licence. However, the collision highlights potential lapses in maintaining safety protocols during paragliding operations.
The Bhuntar police have taken custody of the body and a post-mortem is scheduled before handing it over to the victim’s family.
Kullu ASP Sanjeev Sharma said an investigation was underway. The district administration has instructed the Tourism Department to thoroughly probe the incident to prevent similar mishaps in the future. “If any negligence is found, appropriate action will be taken,” Sharma stated.
Recent fatalities raise concerns
This incident adds to the growing list of paragliding-related fatalities in the Kullu region, a hotspot for adventure sports.
Last month, a 34-year-old tourist from Delhi died in a paragliding crash in Kullu, attributed to equipment malfunction. With these recurring tragedies, questions have been raised about the adequacy of safety measures, pilot training and equipment standards.
The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department has pledged stricter monitoring and regulatory enforcement to ensure the safety of adventure enthusiasts visiting the state.
