Hyderabad tourist killed in paraglider crash
A 32-year-old tourist from Hyderabad was killed in a paraglider crash during tandem flying at Raison in Manali subdivision, 11 km from here, yesterday.
According to the information, Tadi Mahesh Reddy of Saroor Nagar, Hyderabad, was injured as the paraglider crashed due to a gush of wind. He was rushed to a private hospital at Kullu and later referred to Medical College in Ner Chowk, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Kullu SP Karthikeyan Gokulachandran said that the post-mortem examination of the body was conducted at the Medical College, Ner Chowk, today. An FIR has been registered under Sections 125 and 106 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and further investigation was underway.
Officials of the Tourism Department stated that an inquiry has been initiated in the matter. The adventure sport of commercial tandem flying has witnessed a huge surge in the recent years and the number of accidents has reduced after strict compliances are ensured by the tourism department. Last year, two tourists were killed in paraglider crashes, while three others had to make emergency landings at various sites of the district. The department has instructed the paragliding pilots to strictly follow the aero sports rules.
The Tourism Department has formed the District Aero Sports Club of various paragliding associations to regulate paragliding. The department imposes fine on paragliding associations upon violation of rules and has developed a mechanism of self-regulation through Marshals.
The paragliding sites are frequently inspected by the Paragliding and River Rafting District Level Monitoring Committee. The inquiry is carried out in case of an accident and even the licence of the pilot is cancelled if any negligence is ascertained on his part.
There are eight approved sites for paragliding in the district. Due to limited resources with the Tourism Department, it is not possible to maintain strict vigil over the entire adventure sports activities here along with other tourism related activities and units. The tourism beneficiaries have urged the government to empower officials of other departments to enforce the aero sports rules and make their officials accountable to ensure the safety of the thrill seekers.
