A Swiss tourist lost his life in a paragliding accident near Tulbagh in the Western Cape on Thursday afternoon, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Reports suggest that the pilot was discovered in the Waterval Nature Reserve near Tulbagh.
Western Cape police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana said Tulbagh police have opened an inquest docket for further investigation.
‘Tulbagh police responded to an incident in Waterval Nature Reserve near Ontongskop on Thursday, 09 January 2025,’ said Manyana.
According to reports, the victim was part of a group of five gliders who departed from Piekenierskloof in Cirusidal on Thursday around 1pm.
‘It is alleged that the others lost contact with the victim.’
‘They contacted Skymed and started searching for the deceased.’
‘The 63-year-old man was then found on the mountains and brought to Waterval Nature Reserve where he was declared as deceased by the medical personnel,’ added Manyana.
A postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death, and an inquest docket has been opened for further investigation.
The South African Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA) confirmed the incident in a media release and said there are currently no witnesses.
‘On the afternoon of Thursday, January 9, 2025, a 64-year-old recreational paraglider pilot visiting from Switzerland died of his injuries after an accident near Porterville.’
‘The Search and Rescue was coordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) and was conducted by Metro EMS Rescue and AMS,’ SAHPA said.
‘There are no known witnesses and the cause of the accident is not yet known.’
‘The Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID) has been notified,’ it said.
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