Belgian Paraglider Dies After Mid-Air Collision In Himachal’s Bir-Billing
The man was a free-flying paraglider in his mid-60s, the officials said. (Representational) Shimla: A Belgian paraglider was killed after colliding with another paraglider mid-air in Himachal Pradesh’s Bir-Billing as his parachute failed to open after the crash, officials said on Wednesday. The accident took place on Tuesday, four days ahead of the week-long paragliding World Cup 2024 commencing in Bir-Billing in Kangra district on November 2. The two paragliders collided mid-air, leading to the death of Feyarets, a Belgian, while the other paraglider from Poland sustained injuries. Feyarets was a free-flying paraglider in his mid-60s, the officials said. Ten paragliders were flying simultaneously and two of them crashed with each other mid-air. Feyarets died as his reserved parachute did not open after the crash, Vinay Dhiman, Deputy Director, Tourism, Kangra, told PTI. Chances of accidents increase when free-fliers venture into high-risk zones or inner valleys with little knowledge of the topography and local wind conditions, Mr Dhiman said, adding, “We are in the process of documenting the thermals in the Bir-Billing area with the …
