NEW DELHI, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and one injured during a paragliding accident in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, officials said Wednesday.
The accident took place Tuesday evening at Bir Billing area of Kangra district, about 216 km north of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh.
According to local government officials, a glider was taking off on a paraglider with his pilot. However, the helper who was pushing the glider got entangled in a rope due to which the glider lost balance and both (glider and helper) fell down from a height of 25-30 feet and died on the spot.
The pilot who suffered injuries was immediately hospitalized.
"Two paragliders died and one was seriously injured during takeoff in Bir valley. The incident happened when harness got entangled with the helper, gliders got imbalanced and fell to death," Nipun Jindal, deputy commissioner Kangra, told media.
Jindal further said that an ex-gratia relief of 5,208 U.S. dollars will be given to families of each deceased.
Police have registered a case and ordered an investigation into the accident.
"Police are checking the footage of the video camera attached to the paraglider and the logbook of the pilot is also being checked for his flying experience," a police official said. ■
