Just days before the highly anticipated Paragliding World Cup in Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra, a tragic incident claimed the lives of two foreign pilots.
In separate incidents, a Belgian pilot lost his life in a paragliding crash while a Russian pilot is suspected to have died of a heart attack. The Belgian pilot, identified as 67-year-old Petrize Flyer, succumbed to injuries after a mid-air collision caused his paraglider to crash into a tree. The Russian pilot, Alexei (50), reportedly passed away overnight, with preliminary investigations indicating a heart attack.
According to the police, Flyer and a Polish pilot took off from Billing on Tuesday afternoon for a practice session. At a significant distance from the take-off site, the paragliders collided mid-air. While the Polish pilot sustained minor injuries and is reportedly safe, Flyer’s glider became entangled in a tree. The severe impact of the fall is believed to have caused fatal injuries to Flyer’s chest.
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Flyer’s body has been taken to Tanda Medical College and Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will determine the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, Alexei’s friends reported that he had not woken up after going to bed on Monday night. His body has been taken into police custody for a post-mortem, which will provide further clarity.
The Paragliding World Cup is set to commence in Bir Billing in three days, drawing competitors from across the globe. Many pilots have already arrived, thrilled to experience the renowned paragliding destination. The twin tragedies have left the local community and visiting participants in shock, highlighting the inherent risks of the sport even as preparations for the competition continue.
