A tragic paragliding accident at the internationally renowned Bir Billing site in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district claimed the life of an experienced pilot and left a tourist injured on Friday evening. The incident has once again brought the spotlight on safety protocols at one of India’s most popular adventure sports destinations.
According to officials, the accident occurred shortly after a tandem paraglider took off from the Billing launch point. The pilot, identified as Mohan Singh, a resident of Barot in Mandi district, was flying with a tourist when the paraglider reportedly developed a technical malfunction mid-air. The glider lost balance and crashed near a road below the launch site.
Local residents, rescue teams, and site marshals rushed both occupants to a nearby hospital. However, Singh succumbed to his injuries while being taken for treatment. The accompanying tourist sustained injuries but was administered first aid and is reported to be out of danger, officials said.
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The Bir Billing Paragliding Association confirmed that a technical failure is suspected, though the exact cause of the crash remains unclear. A case has been registered, and an official investigation has been launched to determine whether the accident resulted from equipment failure, human error, or adverse weather conditions at the time of the flight.
District Tourism Development Officer Vinay Kumar stated that all relevant documents and information have been sought from marshals and technical advisors stationed at the site. “Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation report,” he said, adding that safety compliance would be thoroughly reviewed.
Following the incident, authorities and paragliding operators suspended all paragliding activities at Bir Billing for a day as a mark of respect for the deceased pilot. The accident has renewed serious concerns about adventure tourism safety, highlighting the need for regular equipment inspections, strict pilot certification norms, and uncompromising adherence to established safety protocols.
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