In the course of a month, three paragliders have died in accidents in the Western Cape.
In the latest incident, on Saturday, February 8, a 53-year-old man was rushed to hospital after a crash in Stellenbosch.
Chairman of the South African Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA), Louis Stanford said the incident took place at approximately 12.30pm.
He said the paraglider was a South African national.
“A paragliding pilot was involved in an accident on the foothills of Stellenbosch Mountain. He was taken by ER24 ambulance to the Stellenbosch Mediclinic and then airlifted on Sunday, February 9, to Chris Barnard Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. He had been conducting a solo recreational flight,” Stanford said.
He said the cause of the accident is not known at this stage.
“The Accident and Incident Investigation Division (AIID) has been notified. SAHPA will be appointing an accident investigator to conduct an investigation,” Stanford said.
Western Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said the matter is still under investigation.
“Cape Town Central police responded to a complaint on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Upon arrival at a medical facility at about 2.46pm, they found the body of a 53-year-old man from Stellenbosch who succumbed to his injuries. The victim was declared deceased by the medical personnel,” Swartbooi said.
Cape Town Central has police registered an inquest for further investigation.
“A public appeal is hereby made to anyone who can shed light on the circumstances surrounding this incident to please call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously,” Swartbooi said.
On January 22, a South African paragliding instructor was found dead in Citrusdal after he ventured on a solo recreational cross-country flight.
This after the 67-year-old man went missing the day before, police tracked his GPS coordinates and found paraglider with equipment was found in the river on a farm.
On January 9, a Swiss tourist died after an accident while paragliding with a group of five gliders that departed from Piekenierskloof in Citrusdal.
The 64-year-old man was found in Waterval Nature Reserve near Ontongskop.
It is alleged he lost contact with the rest of the group.
Stanford said accident investigators have been appointed for each of the three incidents to determine the possible contributing factors. The outcome will be communicated to its community of pilots to try and prevent similar incidents.
He said this was not a quick process as the evidence gathering, analysis, and reports take time.
“Sometimes I know the pilot, other times not. Every fatal accident weighs heavily on me because I witness the profound and devastating loss for friends and family,” Stanford said.
IOL