Irish man tragically dies after Sea Point mid-air collision between tandem paragliders

A 58-year-old man from Ireland has tragically died in South Africa after two tandem paragliders collided in Sea Point this afternoon (Monday 3 July). UPDATE: The tragic victim of the paragliding accident in Sea Point has been named as a former Scotland rugby player.

According to the NSRI, it appears that the accident happened in the air above the Sea Point Promenade. The paragliders were apparently approaching the landing zone, opposite the Winchester Hotel.

“One tandem paraglider reportedly landed safely and both the pilot and passenger were found to be not injured,” the NSRI said. “A second tandem paraglider (a male pilot) reportedly deployed a reserve parachute and is believed to have landed in the surf approximately 200 to 300 meters off-shore of Sea Point Promenade.”

The NSRI’s Bakoven and Table Bay units were activated just before 16h30 following reports of the incident and one or more people being in the surfline, opposite Sea Point High School. ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre) was also alerted, and various EMS and rescue services responded.

On NSRI’s arrival on the scene, the male pilot (who had reportedly deployed the reserve parachute) was found safely on the shore where he was treated for minor injuries.

The tandem passenger, a 58-year-old Irish man, was on the rocks in the water off-shore of the Sea Point Promenade. Two other pilots, not involved in the accident, allegedly jumped in the ocean to try and help the man until the NSRI arrived.

“NSRI rescue swimmers and paramedics reached the man and he was freed from paragliding gear and recovered onto rocks where CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts commenced,” said the NSRI.

But unfortunately, “despite extensive CPR efforts he was sadly declared deceased by paramedics.”

The man’s body was taken to shore and is now in the care of police and state Health Forensic Pathology Services.

An Inquest docket has been opened by Police.

The NSRI’s rescue swimmers, SA Police Services NSRI rescue craft from NSRI Bakoven and from NSRI Table Bay, NSRI rescue swimmers, the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad, City of Cape Town (CoCT) Law Enforcement, Netcare 911 ambulance services and Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services responded.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters. Please support them at www.nsri.org.za