Paraglider pair die in plunge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.TWO paragliders were killed yesterday when they fell nearly 100 feet near Brand's Hatch in Kent. The pair, members of the Green Dragons Paragliding Club, based in Dagenham, Essex, were killed after their parachute turned inside out as they were being towed into the air together, a police spokesman said, Peter Victor writes.
Last night police were waiting to notify next of kin before naming the victims, both of whom were men.
At least three people were killed last year while paragliding, a sport in which participants wearing parachutes are dragged behind vehicles before letting go to fly freely.
A spokesman for Brand's Hatch said the two were attempting a 'tandem flight', wearing a special dual harness attached to one parachute.
Angus Pinkerton, chairman of the flying and safety committee of the British Hangliding and Paragliding Association, which has some 7,000 members - said: 'This sounds to me a very unusual accident. Most accidents that occur are people flying off hills.'
He said paragliders have to take an extensive training course before obtaining a certificate from the BHPA.
Both victims of yesterday's accident were qualified.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments