Canadian paraglider pilot found dead in Dhauladhar ranges

A 27-year-old woman, a Canadian paraglider, who had gone missing after take off from the famous Bir-Billing site, was found dead in the Dhauladhar ranges on Monday evening, the local police confirmed here today.

The deceased has been identified as Megan Elizabeth, a Canadian citizen. Her body was recovered by a rescue team in the snowclad Dhauladhar mountains and airlifted to Kangra Airport with the help of a helicopter.

Elizabeth, a solo flier, took off from Bir-Billing on October 18 and crashlanded on snowclad higher reaches near Triund in the Dhauladhar mountains. “She died on the spot after the crash,” said Veer Bahadur, Additional Superintendent of Police while adding that she had been residing in Bir village with her friend for the past many months.

The police launched search operation after receiving information about her disappearance. However, rough terrain and adverse weather conditions hampered the rescue efforts. A joint operation was carried out by the Kangra district administration, Bir-Billing Paragliding Association and the police. The Bir-Billing Paragliding Association hired a helicopter for the rescue operation. The district administration and the Kangra airport authorities helped in the rescue operation.

Elizabeth's passport, confirming her Canadian citizenship, was recovered from the crash site. The body was later shifted to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital at Tanda for post-mortem examination. “The Canadian embassy and her friend have been informed about this tragic incident,” the ASP said.

The local police officials said that the preliminary findings suggest Elizabeth might have succumbed to severe cold and the impact of injuries sustained while landing on the rocky terrain covered with snow. However, the exact cause of death could be ascertained only after a perusal of the post-mortem examination report, the local police officials maintained.