Tragic Paragliding Accident Claims Life of Experienced Pilot in Himachal Pradesh

Fatal Paragliding Incident at Bir Billing

Munish Sood
MANDI:
A tragic paragliding accident occurred at the famous Bir Billing site in Kangra district, resulting in the death of a skilled pilot late Friday evening. In response, local authorities and paragliding operators have decided to halt all paragliding activities for a day to honor the deceased.

Officials from the Bir Billing Paragliding Association reported that the pilot had launched from the Billing take-off point with a tourist on a tandem flight when the paraglider experienced a technical failure shortly after take-off. The glider lost stability mid-air and crashed near the roadway beneath the launch area.

The pilot, identified as Mohan Singh from Barot in Mandi district, sustained severe injuries from the crash. The tourist accompanying him also suffered injuries but is currently reported to be safe.

Local residents, fellow pilots, and rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene and transported both individuals to the Civil Hospital in Baijnath. Due to the critical nature of Mohan Singh's injuries, he was referred to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital in Tanda for specialized care.

Unfortunately, the ambulance carrying Singh became stuck in a significant traffic jam in Baijnath, causing a delay of nearly an hour. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.

This incident also caused considerable traffic delays on the Baijnath-Palampur road for about an hour, with long lines of vehicles as emergency services struggled to navigate through the congested area.

Baijnath Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sankalp Gautam confirmed the incident, stating that the administration was informed shortly after the crash and that the tourist involved was unharmed. He mentioned that an investigation is underway, and all necessary protocols are being followed.

The police have initiated a case and are investigating the precise cause of the accident, examining whether it was due to a technical malfunction, human error, or weather conditions. Witness statements, along with those from paragliding operators and association members, are being collected, and technical experts may inspect the equipment involved.

As a tribute to the deceased pilot, all paragliding activities at Bir Billing have been suspended for the day, according to officials from the paragliding association.

This incident has once again highlighted serious concerns regarding safety measures, equipment checks, and emergency readiness at Bir Billing, a globally recognized paragliding hotspot that draws thousands of adventure seekers annually.