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Topics: India, Travel, News, World News
Niamh Shackleton
A tourist has sadly died following a paragliding accident in India.
Paragliding is a popular type of extreme sport which sees a person jump off a cliff, for example, and then glide through the sky with a parachute.
People partake in paragliding across the globe and it's rare that it ends in a fatality with just 0.46 percent in 100,000 flights resulting in a death, per Crave The Planet.
While rare, paragliding accidents do happen and a tourist's paraglider recently crashed after taking off from Indru Nag Paragliding Site in Dharamshala, India, on Sunday evening (July 13).
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Following the crash, the tourist was rushed to Zonal Hospital Dharamshala for treatment and then referred to Tanda Medical College.
Identified as 27-year-old Satish from Gujarat, sadly he went on to succumb to his injuries and died yesterday.
He was in a tandem with a paragliding pilot at the time of the ordeal. The pilot, identified as Suraj, was seriously injured but is believed to have survived.
Kangra Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) Hitesh Lakhanpal states that Satish's body will be released to his family once a post-mortem has been carried out, the Economic Times reports.
The case has been given to the local Station House Officer (SHO) to investigate. Tourism department officials will also look into the matter.
Reportedly more than 12 people who have gone paragliding have died in Himachal Pradesh, the same place Satish crashed, over the last 2.5 years.
According to UK-based litigation-only law firm Stewarts, most paragliding accidents occur during take-off and landing. Paragliding in the correct weather conditions is also key.
"The weather plays an important part in all flying, but being lightweight, paragliders are particularly vulnerable to adverse weather," says Stewarts.
"Unfavourable weather, such as strong winds, turbulence or thermic conditions, can lead to hazardous situations. Situations like this can only be mitigated through adequate training and experience.
"Beyond adverse weather conditions, paragliders can be susceptible to equipment failure if they are not adequately maintained and inspected. Although there is no legal requirement to have paragliders inspected, it is recommended that inspections take place annually."
It further stated that comprehensive training is 'vital' when it comes paragliding. "Misjudging weather conditions, poor decision-making and lack of experience are the most common causes of accidents," the law firm further warned.
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