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Unauthorized Paragliding in Himalayas, Several Accidents

by sara star | October 25, 2009 at 12:53 am

526 views | 36 Recommendations | 5 comments

NP reported yesterday that a paraglider went missing by the name of Alexy. There are no other reports to confirm this.

Today thaindian.com reports that two Russian paragliders sustained injury after they crashed and another incident happened on Oct 18.

This sporting event, though apparently not legal according to the regulatory body, has attracted daredevils from Britain, USA, and Russia..

Oct 25 (IANS) Two Russian paragliders sustained injuries after they crash-landed in the high mountains of Himachal Pradesh, an official said Sunday.

“Two Russian paragliders were injured Saturday evening in a paragliding accident in Kangra district,” Subdivisional Magistrate (Baijnath) K.K. Saroch told IANS.

He said the paragliders - Mikhil and Dennis Kulikov - took off from Billing for Bir, lost their way due to strong winds and had to crash-land.

“Both sustained pelvic and leg injuries and were admitted to a private hospital. Their embassy in Delhi has been informed about the accident,” he said.

Earlier, paraglider Dimitri was injured in a similar accident in the area Oct 18.

Bir-Billing, about 300 km from Shimla, is considered one of the finest aero sports sites in the world.

The Himachal Pradesh Tourism and Civil Aviation Department (HPTCAD), the organiser of the annual pre-world cup paragliding championship at Bir-Billing, has decided not to hold the meet this year as it’s refurbishing the site.

A local association, Billing Paragliding Association, has decided to hold the meet on its own.

A large number of dare-devils, especially from Russia, Britain and the US, have converged on the site for practising paragliding.

The HPTCAD has already said the local association is not following proper safety measures and is not registered with it.

An official spokesman for the HPTCAD said the Aero Club of India, the regulating body of paragliding sports, has also not allowed the association to hold the event.

“Holding of paragliding events at Bir-Billing is illegal. We will take action against the organisers of the event,” the spokesman said.

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Pythiian1

at 07:52 on October 25th, 2009

Good post although I understand that Norway has a few paragliders in the mix as well.

sara star

at 08:36 on October 25th, 2009

Thanks for that info.

jazzyzazzy

at 08:58 on October 25th, 2009

Daredevils.

158

at 07:19 on October 26th, 2009

Vey good story and video.

Jessica Tucker

at 07:20 on October 29th, 2009

Paragliding, hanggliding and ultraalight pilots are commonly found cruisin' the windy skies of British Columbia, like anywhere, here it is also a very dangerous sport.

It seems that the safety of the sport is regulated mostly within the flying community and outdoors shops that sell the equipment. Those in the sport for many years will often offer training courses for beginners and those interested in flying, it is not a sport that can be learned in a day though. Learning the winds and the way they can move can take a lifetime and a gust of wind could take your life first...

I love a good adrenaline rush as much as the next junkie but sometimes feet are best kept on the ground and some mountains are just not meant to be leapt off!