Chinese Paragliding Dies in Crash in Phetchabun

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A Chinese paraglider lost his life in a fatal crash on the afternoon of December 5, after his parachute collapsed mid-air, causing him to plummet to the ground in Lom Kao District, Phetchabun.

 

The Swang Mongkol Sattha Rescue Centre in Lom Sak received a report around 16:00 about a foreign paragliding flyer who had fallen from the sky near the Lomsak-Ban Bueng Road in the Lom Kao area, close to the Lom Kao Market. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, where they discovered the body of a 58-year-old Chinese man, entangled in his collapsed parachute.

 

Eyewitnesses reported that the flyer had launched from Phu Thap Boek, a popular site for paragliding, and was flying along the route when the parachute suddenly folded, causing him to fall rapidly to the ground. The impact proved fatal, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

 

Officers from the Lom Kao Police Station arrived to investigate the accident and are currently working to determine the cause of the parachute’s malfunction. Preliminary findings suggest it was a technical issue, but further examination is needed to confirm.

 

The victim was part of a group of international paragliding enthusiasts participating in a large-scale event at Phu Thap Boek, a renowned paragliding destination in Thailand. The site attracts hundreds of paragliders annually due to its scenic views and favorable flying conditions.

 

-- 2024-12-06

 

[newbee2022]

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Pictures from responders.

 

A Chinese paraglider lost his life in a fatal crash on the afternoon of December 5, after his parachute collapsed mid-air, causing him to plummet to the ground in Lom Kao District, Phetchabun.

 

The Swang Mongkol Sattha Rescue Centre in Lom Sak received a report around 16:00 about a foreign paragliding flyer who had fallen from the sky near the Lomsak-Ban Bueng Road in the Lom Kao area, close to the Lom Kao Market. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, where they discovered the body of a 58-year-old Chinese man, entangled in his collapsed parachute.

 

Eyewitnesses reported that the flyer had launched from Phu Thap Boek, a popular site for paragliding, and was flying along the route when the parachute suddenly folded, causing him to fall rapidly to the ground. The impact proved fatal, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

 

Officers from the Lom Kao Police Station arrived to investigate the accident and are currently working to determine the cause of the parachute’s malfunction. Preliminary findings suggest it was a technical issue, but further examination is needed to confirm.

 

The victim was part of a group of international paragliding enthusiasts participating in a large-scale event at Phu Thap Boek, a renowned paragliding destination in Thailand. The site attracts hundreds of paragliders annually due to its scenic views and favorable flying conditions.

 

-- 2024-12-06

 

No fun, no risk RIP

[hotchilli]

At 58 it;s best to keep your feet on terra firma

[TheFishman1]

Interesting how people said the parachute collapse and investigating people there said some technical problems TIT

[impulse]

Sure would be handy to know if he brought his own gear, or rented it.  And with or without local supervision...

 

Hopefully, we'll get updates as more information unfolds.

 

RIP to the guy, and condolences to the family.

 

[Hummin]

35 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

Interesting how people said the parachute collapse and investigating people there said some technical problems TIT

Paraglderd is fragile and if not handled correct ounder certain weather/air conditions, you can experience collaps, linetwists, and you will struggle to regain full flight. That's why we have smaller round reserves in case of deleted happens. Since he already was in flight, my best guess an pilot error leading to this fatal accident, and not a rigger/equipment error.

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Paragliding Activities Halted at Phu Thap Boek After Chinese Tourist’s Fatal Crash

 

File picture for reference only.

 

Authorities have suspended paragliding activities at Phu Thap Boek following a crash that claimed the life of a Chinese tourist. The incident, which involved a 56-year-old paragliding enthusiast from Jiangsu Province, China, occurred when his parachute failed mid-flight, causing him to plummet to the ground. The accident took place in Ban Phruan, Lom Kao District, Phetchabun, on the evening of December 5.

 

Preliminary investigations revealed that the paragliding operations at Phu Thap Boek had not received the necessary permissions from relevant authorities. The deceased, Mr. Huang Hao, entered Thailand on a tourist visa and was part of a group of more than ten international paragliding enthusiasts participating in recreational flights. Thai organisers facilitated these activities by arranging transport, accommodations, and flight logistics, despite the lack of proper authorisation.

 

The flying route typically begins from a cliff at Phu Thap Boek and ends in a flat area in Wang Ban Subdistrict. Authorities have requested all paragliders to suspend their activities indefinitely. As of today, no paragliders have been seen operating in the area.

 

Police in Lom Kao are facing challenges in communicating with the paragliding group due to language barriers and fear of legal repercussions. The group entered Thailand on tourist visas without declaring their intent to engage in paragliding, which may lead to further legal complications.

The deceased’s body is currently at Somdet Phra Yupparat Lom Kao Hospital, awaiting coordination with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand to notify the family and address insurance claims. Phetchabun Governor Saran Yu Meethongkam has instructed the provincial tourist assistance centre to liaise with the Chinese Embassy to ensure the necessary procedures are followed.

 

Phu Thap Boek, renowned for its stunning views and an elevation of approximately 800 metres, has been a popular paragliding destination for international enthusiasts. Over the past three years, Thai organisers have consistently arranged paragliding trips in the area, despite past crashes involving paragliders.

 

This latest tragedy raises concerns about the safety and regulatory oversight of such activities. Local authorities are now working to ensure stricter enforcement of regulations and prevent future incidents.

 

-- 2024-12-07

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The group entered Thailand on tourist visas without declaring their intent to engage in paragliding, which may lead to further legal complications.

Really?

So tourists have to declare their intentions?

It's not as if these guys were working.

What about rising jet skis, banana boats and so on. The list is endless.

[john donson]

going to an amusement park here might be dangerous too, if you have some neck/spine problems... at least he died loving what he was doing...